1
as in qualities
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 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
1
2
as in estimates
to make an approximate or tentative judgment regarding
nowadays most motorists would probably rate their cell phone as an "essential" piece of electronic equipment
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
as in lectures
to criticize (someone) severely or angrily especially for personal failings
a tyrannical father who usually spent most of dinnertime rating his children on their alleged multitude of failings
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Arkansas Online, 27 Jan. 2026
Proposals to cap credit card interest rates are just such an example.
—Matthew Kandrach, Boston Herald, 27 Jan. 2026
Interest rates, which affect the rate on auto loans, are starting to come down.
—Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 27 Jan. 2026
These recommendations are based, in part, on studies that have found higher relapse rates among those who stop taking the medication versus those who do not.
—The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Jan. 2026
Looking at alternative health plan options Nationwide, base rates are rising.
—Mahsa Saeidi, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026
The Fed was trying to hold down long-term interest rates by buying $667 billion of long-term bonds and selling short-term ones.
—Brandon Kochkodin, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
This is not always the case, however, as rates, service quality, and coverage features often vary widely.
—Ethan M. Stone, Miami Herald, 9 Jan. 2026
Housing prices will stay high too, as mortgage rates stay elevated compared to 2021 levels.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 24 Dec. 2024
Chantelle Lee, Time, 28 Jan. 2026
Carrick rates Maguire as a player and a person, just as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer did, praising his ability to win duels.
—Andy Mitten, New York Times, 28 Jan. 2026
Osborn still rates Southwest’s policy above other major airlines like Delta, United and American Airlines that do not offer refund options for booking an extra seat.
—Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 27 Jan. 2026
Those affiliates may charge the company rates far higher than what a typical third-party company would charge for those services.
—Lawrence Mower, Miami Herald, 21 Jan. 2026
The bank now rates Chevron as overweight and gives its a 12-month price target of $176, suggesting about 6% upside from Friday’s close.
—Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 20 Jan. 2026
The 2026 report rates 320 airlines on a wide range of factors, including incident and accident rates, pilot training, international safety audits and transparency from the airline.
—Forbes.com, 16 Jan. 2026
The study draws on the Global Peace Index, which rates the Netherlands among the most peaceful countries in the world, reflecting the country’s low crime rates, political stability, and strong quality of life.
—Taryn White, Travel + Leisure, 12 Jan. 2026
And Inside Elections, a nonpartisan organization that analyzes congressional races, rates eight Republican congressmen as very vulnerable.
—David Lightman, Sacbee.com, 6 Jan. 2026
Noun
The Federal Reserve will announce its latest move on interest rates on Wednesday.
—Arkansas Online, 27 Jan. 2026
Proposals to cap credit card interest rates are just such an example.
—Matthew Kandrach, Boston Herald, 27 Jan. 2026
Interest rates, which affect the rate on auto loans, are starting to come down.
—Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 27 Jan. 2026
These recommendations are based, in part, on studies that have found higher relapse rates among those who stop taking the medication versus those who do not.
—The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Jan. 2026
Looking at alternative health plan options Nationwide, base rates are rising.
—Mahsa Saeidi, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026
The Fed was trying to hold down long-term interest rates by buying $667 billion of long-term bonds and selling short-term ones.
—Brandon Kochkodin, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
This is not always the case, however, as rates, service quality, and coverage features often vary widely.
—Ethan M. Stone, Miami Herald, 9 Jan. 2026
Housing prices will stay high too, as mortgage rates stay elevated compared to 2021 levels.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 24 Dec. 2024
Verb
The Cook Political Report rates his seat as Solid Republican in the midterms, classifying it among the least competitive House races this year.
—Chantelle Lee, Time, 28 Jan. 2026
Carrick rates Maguire as a player and a person, just as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer did, praising his ability to win duels.
—Andy Mitten, New York Times, 28 Jan. 2026
Osborn still rates Southwest’s policy above other major airlines like Delta, United and American Airlines that do not offer refund options for booking an extra seat.
—Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 27 Jan. 2026
Those affiliates may charge the company rates far higher than what a typical third-party company would charge for those services.
—Lawrence Mower, Miami Herald, 21 Jan. 2026
The bank now rates Chevron as overweight and gives its a 12-month price target of $176, suggesting about 6% upside from Friday’s close.
—Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 20 Jan. 2026
The 2026 report rates 320 airlines on a wide range of factors, including incident and accident rates, pilot training, international safety audits and transparency from the airline.
—Forbes.com, 16 Jan. 2026
The study draws on the Global Peace Index, which rates the Netherlands among the most peaceful countries in the world, reflecting the country’s low crime rates, political stability, and strong quality of life.
—Taryn White, Travel + Leisure, 12 Jan. 2026
And Inside Elections, a nonpartisan organization that analyzes congressional races, rates eight Republican congressmen as very vulnerable.
—David Lightman, Sacbee.com, 6 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rates
Noun
-
None of this would matter if not for the feeling that something is being lost in this process — top-level K-pop sacrificing its signature qualities for the sake of broader acceptance.—
Sheldon Pearce,
NPR,
29 Jan. 2026
-
That’s on top of the same blend of delightful qualities as its less-powerful siblings and still can be had well-equipped for under $150,000.—
Erik Shilling,
Robb Report,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Look for products with ratios like 5-10-5 or 10-20-10.—
SJ McShane,
Martha Stewart,
7 Jan. 2026
-
When police departments expand too quickly, academies become overcrowded, instructor-to-trainee ratios worsen, and field training officers are stretched thin.—
Karl W. Bickel,
Baltimore Sun,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The state spent more than $20 billion without uniform standards to measure effectiveness.—
Julie Watts,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
-
In Hong Kong, this positions MKS to contribute to the HKPMCC’s governance and system design, ensuring interoperability with global standards.—
Sean Lee,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rates. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
