rate 1 of 3

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?

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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

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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
In 2026, growth remains depressed at 1.5 per cent, and the unemployment rate edges up to 4.6 per cent. John Cassidy, New Yorker, 14 July 2025 Likewise, the rates of depression, anxiety, obesity, and sleep apnea increased, as did rates of autism, developmental delays, and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Sherri Gordon, Parents, 14 July 2025
Verb
Draft Express rated him the 89th best prospect in last month’s NBA Draft. Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 26 July 2025 Not even 1 percent of Bengals fans rated their team's ownership a 5. Alec Lewis, New York Times, 25 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for rate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rate
Noun
  • He’s become a quality defender at third and a league avg bat.
    Will Sammon, New York Times, 25 July 2025
  • Auckland, New Zealand earned fifth spot on the list thanks largely to its cleanliness score and the quality of its green spaces and parks.
    Kaitlyn McInnis, Forbes.com, 25 July 2025
Noun
  • The debt-to-equity ratio of 13.4% remains well below the S&P 500 average of 19.4%, indicating conservative financial management and reduced leverage risk.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025
  • The club touted its personnel expense-to-revenue ratio of 43%, a four percentage point improvement versus the previous season.
    Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 21 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Rate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rate. Accessed 1 Aug. 2025.

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