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
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Recent Examples of rates
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Feb. 2026
For example, homicide rates declined in 2025 – which is an important indicator of security.
—Angélica Durán-Martínez, The Conversation, 24 Feb. 2026
Higher interest rates, lower housing turnover and economic uncertainty have challenged the company, as homeowners delay the pricier projects typically spurred by buying or selling a home.
—Melissa Repko, CNBC, 24 Feb. 2026
The storm intensified overnight offshore and brought bands of snowfall with rates of over 2 inches per hour.
—Bill Kelly, CBS News, 23 Feb. 2026
My task in the project will be to establish the process, vary the cooling rates, and characterize how each condition changes during the drug’s properties.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 23 Feb. 2026
The escalating costs for energy are particularly troubling, as electric rates have increased by 36% for many New Yorkers in the last three years with more increases coming.
—Robert Duffy, New York Daily News, 16 Feb. 2026
Infertility rates are rising and many people are choosing to have children later in life.
—Rachel Hosie, SELF, 16 Feb. 2026
In January, Sheinbaum held up a sharp decline in homicide rates last year as evidence that her security strategy was working.
—Aarón Ibarra, Los Angeles Times, 16 Feb. 2026
Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 23 Feb. 2026
Trump's uncouth behavior barely rates a headline anymore, so frequent are the examples.
—Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 20 Feb. 2026
The group then rates hospitals on 31 condition and procedure groups, from heart attacks to total knee replacements, with a focus on clinical outcomes.
—Chad Murphy, Cincinnati Enquirer, 13 Feb. 2026
Illinois edge rusher Gabe Jacas is an option, too, though Brugler rates him (57th) lower than Young.
—Jesse Newell, New York Times, 12 Feb. 2026
Comparing offensive and defensive units, Seattle rates a slight edge with each.
—Hank Gola, New York Daily News, 6 Feb. 2026
The district has shifted from likely Republican to likely Democratic, according to Sabato’s Crystal Ball, a nonpartisan organization that rates House races.
—Mathew Miranda
february 3, Sacbee.com, 3 Feb. 2026
The FoodHealth Score rates items from 1 to 100 based on their nutritional value.
—Philip Joens, Des Moines Register, 29 Jan. 2026
The team rates shots on a scale of 1-10, with an uncontested layup or a wide-open 3-pointer ranking at the top of the range.
—Steve Reaven, Chicago Tribune, 29 Jan. 2026
Noun
The rates generously include buffet breakfast, airport transfers, drinks (excluding wine), wine tastings, sunset cocktails, art tours, laundry and shoe cleaning.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Feb. 2026
For example, homicide rates declined in 2025 – which is an important indicator of security.
—Angélica Durán-Martínez, The Conversation, 24 Feb. 2026
Higher interest rates, lower housing turnover and economic uncertainty have challenged the company, as homeowners delay the pricier projects typically spurred by buying or selling a home.
—Melissa Repko, CNBC, 24 Feb. 2026
The storm intensified overnight offshore and brought bands of snowfall with rates of over 2 inches per hour.
—Bill Kelly, CBS News, 23 Feb. 2026
My task in the project will be to establish the process, vary the cooling rates, and characterize how each condition changes during the drug’s properties.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 23 Feb. 2026
The escalating costs for energy are particularly troubling, as electric rates have increased by 36% for many New Yorkers in the last three years with more increases coming.
—Robert Duffy, New York Daily News, 16 Feb. 2026
Infertility rates are rising and many people are choosing to have children later in life.
—Rachel Hosie, SELF, 16 Feb. 2026
In January, Sheinbaum held up a sharp decline in homicide rates last year as evidence that her security strategy was working.
—Aarón Ibarra, Los Angeles Times, 16 Feb. 2026
Verb
The index rates the grocery stores on numerous categories, including quality and freshness of meat and produce, speed of checkout process and the layout and cleanliness of stores.
—Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 23 Feb. 2026
Trump's uncouth behavior barely rates a headline anymore, so frequent are the examples.
—Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 20 Feb. 2026
The group then rates hospitals on 31 condition and procedure groups, from heart attacks to total knee replacements, with a focus on clinical outcomes.
—Chad Murphy, Cincinnati Enquirer, 13 Feb. 2026
Illinois edge rusher Gabe Jacas is an option, too, though Brugler rates him (57th) lower than Young.
—Jesse Newell, New York Times, 12 Feb. 2026
Comparing offensive and defensive units, Seattle rates a slight edge with each.
—Hank Gola, New York Daily News, 6 Feb. 2026
The district has shifted from likely Republican to likely Democratic, according to Sabato’s Crystal Ball, a nonpartisan organization that rates House races.
—Mathew Miranda
february 3, Sacbee.com, 3 Feb. 2026
The FoodHealth Score rates items from 1 to 100 based on their nutritional value.
—Philip Joens, Des Moines Register, 29 Jan. 2026
The team rates shots on a scale of 1-10, with an uncontested layup or a wide-open 3-pointer ranking at the top of the range.
—Steve Reaven, Chicago Tribune, 29 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rates
Noun
-
The game has cultivated a fanbase that is generally kind and patient, increasingly rare qualities in the gaming world, and online more broadly.—
Jacqui Palumbo,
CNN Money,
26 Feb. 2026
-
Those varieties, studied and modified by researchers at UC Davis, were engineered to achieve specific characteristics when harvested at particular times, and to hold those qualities when preserved in a can.—
Jake Goodrick,
Sacbee.com,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Since the 1970s, astronomers have observed shifts in surface chemistry during this phase, including a drop in carbon-12 to carbon-13 ratios.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
21 Feb. 2026
-
This objective is best achieved through the maintenance of appropriate staffing ratios, which serve to alleviate employee fatigue, reduce errors, and mitigate the occurrence of use of force incidents.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The judge ruled that the Legislature had circumvented anti-gerrymandering standards passed by voters.—
David A. Lieb,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Environmental advocates opposed relying on voluntary agreements as the plan’s primary pathway, instead pushing for firm, enforceable minimum flow standards, while water agencies continued to support the voluntary approach.—
Chaewon Chung,
Sacbee.com,
23 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rates. Accessed 2 Mar. 2026.
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