rates 1 of 3

plural of rate
1
2
as in ratios
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

rates

2 of 3

verb (1)

present tense third-person singular of rate
1
as in deserves
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 ranks
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 regards
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

rates

3 of 3

verb (2)

present tense third-person singular of rate

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 rates
Noun
In Georgia, two public service commission seats were up for election, with two Republican incumbents facing voters, and electricity rates were at the heart of the race. Tom Rogers, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025 With unionization rates at a dismal 5 percent in Bangladesh, few are able to seek help to advocate for themselves. Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 5 Nov. 2025 Kindergarten vaccination rates in KCKPS are among the lowest in the state, according to data from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 5 Nov. 2025 But the results suggest the issue resonated—especially in states where major new facilities are planned and electricity rates have risen. Sharon Goldman, Fortune, 5 Nov. 2025 Rising inflation and unemployment, as the US now faces, is an unusual economic combination that calls for opposite moves in interest rates. Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 29 Oct. 2025 However, local crime data at the time suggested that violent crime rates had already dropped 26% between 2025 and 2024. Michael Nied, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025 Housing prices will stay high too, as mortgage rates stay elevated compared to 2021 levels. Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 24 Dec. 2024 Furthermore, affecting the stability of the cryptocurrency market could be macroeconomic elements including inflation rates, devaluation of currencies, or market collapse. Jim Osman, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024
Verb
Manow does a bump of K on the table to relax while Clateman shows me a high-tech nicotine vape that displays music videos and also rates the intensity of your hits with a numerical score. Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 6 Nov. 2025 The result is the first Lambo to reach a four-digit horsepower output; the company officially rates it as 1,001 hp, but the carmaker’s own representatives admit every example comfortably makes more than that. Will Sabel Courtney, Robb Report, 6 Nov. 2025 Pro Football Focus rates Robinson 108th among 113 edge rushers who have played this season. Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2025 Music fans remain obsessed with how the site rates their favorites, and artists have Pitchfork on their mind too. Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 17 Oct. 2025 The respected Freedom House rates China as having among the lowest scores for political rights and civil liberties of any country in the world. Benjamin Weinthal, FOXNews.com, 10 Oct. 2025 One of the hottest contests in the 68th annual Grammy Awards is in a category that rarely rates headlines – best traditional pop vocal album. Paul Grein, Billboard, 6 Oct. 2025 The Sealy website rates it about a 6/10 on their firm scale, but I’d put it closer to an 8. Kristi Kellogg, Architectural Digest, 5 Oct. 2025 Aurzen rates the light source at 200 ANSI lumens. PC Magazine, 4 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rates
Noun
  • Ekitike could cause City problems with his ability to stretch the play and ball-carrying qualities.
    Andy Jones, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2025
  • Making Intentionality a Priority Since the beginning, Mark and Alexis’ work as Arizona personal injury lawyers has been grounded in passion, relationships, and respect, and these qualities remain to this day.
    William Jones, USA Today, 7 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Only two other comets have been found to have lower ratios of carbon to hydroxide ions.
    Hannah Millington, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
  • Compounding issues, many African countries pay four times more interest on their debt than high-income nations despite often having lower debt-to-GDP ratios.
    Charlie Campbell, Time, 30 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Rather, the slow start (by Ovechkin’s standards) to this season seemed due more to poor puck luck.
    Sean Gentille, New York Times, 6 Nov. 2025
  • For starters, he or she will be armed with some of the top TV and film incentives in the nation, crediting up to 40 percent of qualified expenses against taxes for productions that meet a series of minimum standards.
    Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 6 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Rates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rates. Accessed 11 Nov. 2025.

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