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
Sacbee.com, 31 Mar. 2026
Those rates apply to bags checked more than 24 hours before departure.
—Lucia I Suarez Sang, CBS News, 31 Mar. 2026
Her district has one of the highest Obamacare enrollment rates in the country.
—Max Klaver, Miami Herald, 31 Mar. 2026
But corn masa flour, a staple used in Latino diets, was left out of the original fortification requirement — and rates of conditions such as spina bifida and anencephaly in that community have remained stubbornly high.
—CNN Money, 30 Mar. 2026
In that month, rates fell below 6% for the first time since 2022, according to Freddie Mac, which tracks rates weekly.
—Zach Halaschak, The Washington Examiner, 24 Mar. 2026
The worry is that high oil prices could keep the Federal Reserve and other central banks from cutting interest rates, which would give the global economy and prices for investments a boost.
—Arkansas Online, 24 Mar. 2026
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
K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 23 Mar. 2026
The Cook Political Report rates the race as solidly Democrat.
—Oren Oppenheim, ABC News, 16 Mar. 2026
WalletHub rates the state of Maine highly for its health care system, and Niche gives Ogunquit a livability grade of A-.
—Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 13 Mar. 2026
Because of Judge’s relative lack of longevity, Jay Jaffe’s JAWS system currently rates him as the 11th-best right fielder in baseball history.
—Andy McCullough, New York Times, 11 Mar. 2026
While the brand rates it a 6 out of 10 on the firmness scale, Hiser disagrees.
—Bailey Berg, Architectural Digest, 10 Mar. 2026
Goldman rates both stocks a buy.
—Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 8 Mar. 2026
The report card rates the Patriots’ travel among the worst in the league.
—Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 6 Mar. 2026
Chasten’s parents, Terry and Sherri, help with child care and design and sell Christmas wreaths out of a barn—an occupation that rates a solid 10 out of 10 on the Norman Rockwell scale.
—Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 3 Mar. 2026
Noun
Others, such as Susan Braverman, also reported feeling stretched thin after being required to work in stressful conditions with higher-than-normal callout rates while not receiving compensation.
—Sacbee.com, 31 Mar. 2026
Those rates apply to bags checked more than 24 hours before departure.
—Lucia I Suarez Sang, CBS News, 31 Mar. 2026
Her district has one of the highest Obamacare enrollment rates in the country.
—Max Klaver, Miami Herald, 31 Mar. 2026
But corn masa flour, a staple used in Latino diets, was left out of the original fortification requirement — and rates of conditions such as spina bifida and anencephaly in that community have remained stubbornly high.
—CNN Money, 30 Mar. 2026
In that month, rates fell below 6% for the first time since 2022, according to Freddie Mac, which tracks rates weekly.
—Zach Halaschak, The Washington Examiner, 24 Mar. 2026
The worry is that high oil prices could keep the Federal Reserve and other central banks from cutting interest rates, which would give the global economy and prices for investments a boost.
—Arkansas Online, 24 Mar. 2026
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
Lenovo rates the 5,100mAh cell at 13 hours of continuous battery life, which is impressive, and for barely over a hundred bucks this one is a steal.
—K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 23 Mar. 2026
The Cook Political Report rates the race as solidly Democrat.
—Oren Oppenheim, ABC News, 16 Mar. 2026
WalletHub rates the state of Maine highly for its health care system, and Niche gives Ogunquit a livability grade of A-.
—Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 13 Mar. 2026
Because of Judge’s relative lack of longevity, Jay Jaffe’s JAWS system currently rates him as the 11th-best right fielder in baseball history.
—Andy McCullough, New York Times, 11 Mar. 2026
While the brand rates it a 6 out of 10 on the firmness scale, Hiser disagrees.
—Bailey Berg, Architectural Digest, 10 Mar. 2026
Goldman rates both stocks a buy.
—Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 8 Mar. 2026
The report card rates the Patriots’ travel among the worst in the league.
—Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 6 Mar. 2026
Chasten’s parents, Terry and Sherri, help with child care and design and sell Christmas wreaths out of a barn—an occupation that rates a solid 10 out of 10 on the Norman Rockwell scale.
—Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 3 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rates
Noun
-
The Singapore Sling and the Million Dollar Cocktail are sisters who share the same DNA and many of the same qualities but possess quite different temperaments and have gone on to enjoy different lives.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Its output has become increasingly nuanced and creative over the years, however, displaying elements of conventionally human qualities like metaphor, satire and social commentary.—
Stephy Chung,
CNN Money,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Seven locations also showed chlorine-to-sulfate mass ratios high enough to signal elevated corrosion potential — a condition that can increase the likelihood that metals will leach from plumbing over time.—
Bridget Shirvell,
Hartford Courant,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Similar ratios were seen that year for countywide primary races.—
Joseph States,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Consumer advocates said the findings support SB 1076, a bill that would require insurers to offer coverage to homeowners who meet state fire safety standards.—
City News Service,
Daily News,
31 Mar. 2026
-
In response, rental companies are implementing stricter cleaning standards, higher security deposits, and more surveillance.—
Christopher Elliott,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rates. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
