1
as in to be
to take or have a certain position within a group arranged in vertical classes
my favorite pitcher ranks first in the league for number of consecutive outs
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in to classify
to arrange or assign according to type
most critics would rank him among our best actors
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in ranking
the placement of someone or something in relation to others in a vertical arrangement
attained the highest rank in the Freemasons
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in dignity
high position within society
remembered as a woman of rank who socialized only with other members of the elite
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
4
as in category
usually ranks plural
one of the units into which a whole is divided on the basis of a common characteristic
this book will someday join the ranks of the world's great novels
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in rampant
growing thickly and vigorously
covered with trumpet vines so rank you couldn't see the trellis beneath them
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in ripe
having an unpleasant smell
smokes rank cigars that usually send me running for fresh air
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in obvious
very noticeable especially for being incorrect or bad
the article about fairy tales was full of rank errors, such as a reference to "Cinderella biting into the poisoned apple"
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in absolute
having no exceptions or restrictions
a sidewalk sale of art works by rank amateurs
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of rank
Letters To The Editor, Hartford Courant, 15 Feb. 2026
Multiple high-ranking agents were still reeling Saturday over Wasserman’s decision to divest in his company.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 15 Feb. 2026
Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 9 Feb. 2026
Lawmakers in European powerhouse Germany have approved a government plan to attract more military recruits as the country tries to boost the ranks of its armed forces in the face of rising concern about the threat posed by Russia.
—Arkansas Online, 8 Feb. 2026
Andrew McKean, Outdoor Life, 20 Nov. 2025
His Philly teams have never finished worse than 14th in total yardage, yet currently rank 23rd.
—Jacob Robinson, New York Times, 13 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rank
Verb
Davidson had been ranked #1 in the country for weeks.
—Letters To The Editor, Hartford Courant, 15 Feb. 2026
Multiple high-ranking agents were still reeling Saturday over Wasserman’s decision to divest in his company.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 15 Feb. 2026
Noun
That sense grew stronger after Anas Sarwar, the leader of the Scottish Labour Party, broke rank on Monday afternoon and called for Starmer to step down, becoming the first senior Labour figure to do so in public.
—Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 9 Feb. 2026
Lawmakers in European powerhouse Germany have approved a government plan to attract more military recruits as the country tries to boost the ranks of its armed forces in the face of rising concern about the threat posed by Russia.
—Arkansas Online, 8 Feb. 2026
Adjective
Last year a rank Angus cow, unbranded, unclaimed, and unpredictable as a prairie fire, holed up in the slough.
—Andrew McKean, Outdoor Life, 20 Nov. 2025
His Philly teams have never finished worse than 14th in total yardage, yet currently rank 23rd.
—Jacob Robinson, New York Times, 13 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rank
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rank
Verb
-
In addition to the Sierra population, there are about 20 Sierra Nevada red foxes living in the Cascade mountain range of Northern California.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
-
First, there are the concentric circle features, which look like wispy shells of ejecta blown off of the star.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The case is the first time the Justice Department has attempted to classify critical speech from prominent Trump detractors as a crime.—
Jeremy Roebuck,
Washington Post,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Commercial prediction markets have resisted efforts by states to classify and regulate them as gambling companies, insisting that they — like their precursor in Iowa — should be overseen by federal regulators.—
Suzy Khimm,
NBC news,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The Jets’ ranking fell from 21st in 2023 to 29th in 2024.—
Antwan Staley,
New York Daily News,
13 Feb. 2026
-
The highest ranking of those, Hepp, was accused of not ensuring staff members were properly trained on the prison's policies and procedures – including documenting when a resident's water is turned off and meals are missed.—
Kelli Arseneau,
jsonline.com,
12 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The story of slavery and its abolition is ultimately one of irrepressible human dignity.—
Thomas Chatterton Williams,
The Atlantic,
13 Feb. 2026
-
But speaking of treating all patients with dignity, Roxie is having a tough time dealing with her current situation.—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
In the fluorescent glare of a rundown Indonesian wig factory, vats of human hair simmer in huge cauldrons, stirred by hunched laborers as rows of mannequin heads watch blankly from the dark.—
Patrick Brzeski,
HollywoodReporter,
15 Feb. 2026
-
The overhead bins were full for several rows, forcing him and many other passengers to roam around the plane looking for spots as more people filed in.—
Hannah Sampson,
Washington Post,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
As the first Brazilian nominee in the category — a milestone that lives beside his historic Golden Globe win — his presence alone marks a meaningful moment.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Researchers classified low-fat or low-carb diets into 5 categories, including total, healthy, unhealthy, animal or vegetable.—
Barbara Mantel,
NBC news,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Croatia dropped the kuna in 2023, and the change was met with widespread stories about rampant inflation — perhaps explaining other countries’ reluctance — although the European Central Bank said that price rises continued on existing trends.—
Tom Chivers,
semafor.com,
5 Feb. 2026
-
During Operation Midway Blitz last fall, unprovoked violence by CBP and ICE was rampant — and often captured on video.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Volunteers willing to pick fruit from trees at homes in Rancho Bernardo, Poway and surrounding communities are needed this spring as local citrus trees fill with ripe fruits.—
Elizabeth Marie Himchak,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Raised by Vietnamese immigrant parents, Le was taught to be wary of strangers — generosity was ripe for exploitation.—
Maddie Connors,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rank.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rank. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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