rate 1 of 3

Definition of ratenext
1
as in quality
degree of excellence not being of the first rate, these apples are usually sold as food for livestock

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in ratio
the relationship in quantity, amount, or size between two or more things the exchange rate was 10 pesos to the dollar when we visited Mexico

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

rate

2 of 3

verb (1)

1
as in to deserve
to be or make worthy of (as a reward or punishment) how does a summer intern rate a new computer when I've been told to make do with this clunker?

Synonyms & Similar Words

2
3
as in to rank
to take or have a certain position within a group arranged in vertical classes a restaurant that consistently rates high in all the standard categories

Synonyms & Similar Words

4
as in to consider
to think of in a particular way I would rate her my best friend; after all, she's always been there when I needed her

Synonyms & Similar Words

rate

3 of 3

verb (2)

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb rate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of rate are appraise, assess, estimate, evaluate, and value. While all these words mean "to judge something with respect to its worth or significance," rate adds to estimate the notion of placing a thing according to a scale of values.

a highly rated restaurant

When might appraise be a better fit than rate?

The words appraise and rate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, appraise commonly implies the fixing by an expert of the monetary worth of a thing, but it may be used of any critical judgment.

having their house appraised

When could assess be used to replace rate?

Although the words assess and rate have much in common, assess implies a critical appraisal for the purpose of understanding or interpreting, or as a guide in taking action.

officials are trying to assess the damage

When is estimate a more appropriate choice than rate?

The meanings of estimate and rate largely overlap; however, estimate implies a judgment, considered or casual, that precedes or takes the place of actual measuring or counting or testing out.

estimated the crowd at two hundred

When is it sensible to use evaluate instead of rate?

The synonyms evaluate and rate are sometimes interchangeable, but evaluate suggests an attempt to determine relative or intrinsic worth in terms other than monetary.

evaluate a student's work

How do value and appraise relate to one another, in the sense of rate?

Value equals appraise but without implying expertness of judgment.

a watercolor valued by the donor at $500

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of rate
Noun
Building on its successful rollout in Brazil, Juspay is expanding Click to Pay globally to eliminate manual card entry, which minimizes checkout friction, reduces cart abandonment and boosts conversion rates. Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 4 June 2026 The conversion rate is pulled from Yahoo Finance and is most up to date when your device is connected to the internet. Cody Godwin, USA Today, 4 June 2026
Verb
Zebra watching How do players rate the finals refs? Zach Harper, New York Times, 3 June 2026 The nation's homebuilders are slightly less sensitive to rate moves, as the builders have been buying down mortgage rates to get buyers in the door. Diana Olick, CNBC, 19 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for rate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rate
Noun
  • That’s where master wood crafter Jon Hartman comes in, creating heirloom-quality furnishing and gifts by upcycling the single-use barrels through his Whiskey Woodcraft program, located in the distillery’s former cooperage.
    Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 June 2026
  • How to analyze a poetics of irreverence and improvisation—of life experienced in a perpetual present—without stifling precisely these qualities?
    Joe Dunthorne, The New York Review of Books, 6 June 2026
Noun
  • Or the one about the player with the greatest goals-to-games scoring ratio in World Cup history?
    Tim Spiers, New York Times, 1 June 2026
  • Why restartability matters for solid propulsion Solid rocket motors are favored for their simplicity, long shelf life, and high thrust-to-weight ratio.
    Aditya Jadhav, Interesting Engineering, 1 June 2026
Verb
  • With understated but warm service and arguably the area’s best spa, La Réserve deserves an almost perfect score.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 June 2026
  • Scientists say climate change deserves much, but not all, of the blame.
    ABC News, ABC News, 4 June 2026
Verb
  • In Dnipro, the death toll was estimated to be 16, with over 40 people sustaining injuries, said regional governor Oleksandr Hanzha.
    Tiago Ventura, Time, 2 June 2026
  • Authorities estimate the passageway extended roughly 1,933 feet, reaching depths of about 55 feet underground and standing as tall as 4½ feet in some sections.
    Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 2 June 2026
Verb
  • The Lebanese army said several of its soldiers, including a high-ranking officer, were killed in an Israeli strike.
    Dalia Abdelwahab, CNN Money, 7 June 2026
  • As chair and then ranking Republican on the Senate Finance Committee, Packwood was a master of cutting deals and forging compromises needed to pass tax legislation through Congress.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 June 2026
Verb
  • The Treasury Department will also consider using Iranian assets to support repairs for past damage, according to the source who confirmed earlier reporting from Reuters on Saturday.
    Dalia Abdelwahab, CNN Money, 7 June 2026
  • He's considered one of the planet’s most versatile watermen, with accolades that include eight-time stand-up paddle world champion, hydrofoil pioneer, and big-wave master.
    Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 June 2026
Verb
  • Publicly, Ingoglia has become known for barnstorming the state to hold choreographed press conferences scolding cities and counties for wasteful spending.
    Jeffrey Schweers, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 May 2026
  • Messi seemed to scold La Familia at one point with a finger wag aimed in their direction, showing his displeasure with their protest.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 18 May 2026
Verb
  • Rozek allowed five runs (four earned) on seven hits in 3 1/3 innings.
    Staff Report, Twin Cities, 30 May 2026
  • Rojo just appreciates the redemption Garcia earned.
    Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Rate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rate. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.

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