1
as in ranks
the placement of someone or something in relation to others in a vertical arrangement
the greasy spoon restaurant was several rungs below the kind of establishment in which we usually dined
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in canes
Scottish
a heavy rigid stick used as a weapon or for punishment
the watchman usually carried a stout oak rung
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rungs
Each was a career politician who spent decades laboriously climbing the government rungs before being elected governor.
—
Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2026
More importantly, the Flyers are arguably a few rungs below the Senators team that Carolina had zero trouble with in a sweep.
—Shayna Goldman, New York Times, 1 May 2026
The finished crochet blankets are on display draped over the rungs of a wooden, antique ladder and are a popular item with customers.
—Sarah Kyrcz, Hartford Courant, 27 Apr. 2026
Some options are considered a great catch, boasting superior benefits, while those high in mercury or contaminants may fall to lower rungs—or should be avoided altogether.
—Randi Gollin, Martha Stewart, 22 Apr. 2026
When there are fewer rungs on the ladder, there are fewer ways to climb—and fewer visible models of what advancement looks like.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 7 Apr. 2026
Wet rungs and soapy hands are a bad combination, so dry your grip frequently.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 30 Mar. 2026
Those rungs are numbered 0 to 10.
—Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 24 Mar. 2026
Coaching licenses typically operate in a tier system, with the bottom rungs allowing people to coach youth soccer.
—Doha Madani, NBC news, 19 Mar. 2026
Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2026
More importantly, the Flyers are arguably a few rungs below the Senators team that Carolina had zero trouble with in a sweep.
—Shayna Goldman, New York Times, 1 May 2026
The finished crochet blankets are on display draped over the rungs of a wooden, antique ladder and are a popular item with customers.
—Sarah Kyrcz, Hartford Courant, 27 Apr. 2026
Some options are considered a great catch, boasting superior benefits, while those high in mercury or contaminants may fall to lower rungs—or should be avoided altogether.
—Randi Gollin, Martha Stewart, 22 Apr. 2026
When there are fewer rungs on the ladder, there are fewer ways to climb—and fewer visible models of what advancement looks like.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 7 Apr. 2026
Wet rungs and soapy hands are a bad combination, so dry your grip frequently.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 30 Mar. 2026
Those rungs are numbered 0 to 10.
—Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 24 Mar. 2026
Coaching licenses typically operate in a tier system, with the bottom rungs allowing people to coach youth soccer.
—Doha Madani, NBC news, 19 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rungs
Noun
-
Buoyed by a circle of alumni, the sophomores have climbed the ranks of the city’s junior varsity debate league.—
Kate Armanini,
Chicago Tribune,
11 May 2026
-
Over the next decade, Hood steadily rose through the company’s ranks before being named CFO in 2013.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
11 May 2026
Noun
-
Botrytis can also cause large, discolored patches on canes.—
Rita Perwich,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 May 2026
-
To rejuvenate these shrubs, cut three of the thickest canes all the way back to the ground in spring.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The department said its Gaslamp Enforcement teams can face large crowds, active fights and high levels of intoxication and sometimes deal with situations that quickly escalate.—
Karen Kucher,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 May 2026
-
The hotel runs on a mix of solar and diesel power, switching to the next-generation generators when battery levels drop below 40%.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
There used to be physical-comedy genius; there used to be simple, aspirational concepts; there used to be a passing of batons between past stars onto the next generation of them.—
Chris Feil,
Vulture,
1 May 2026
-
Hostetter hadn’t always seemed like the type to storm the Capitol armed with hatchets and stun batons.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
When a chance encounter with a distraught stranger on a subway goes horribly wrong, Reacher is drawn into a complex and deadly game that pits him against ruthless foes from the highest echelons of power.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
11 May 2026
-
Meanwhile, the rest of the NBA is widely expected to be more competitive next season — from the bottom tier, where anti-tanking regulations and a weaker draft class should curb teams’ intentional losing, to the upper echelons, where Oklahoma City and San Antonio stand tall.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
Congress approve an additional $44 million to the BIS to combat illicit export of technology and additional set of full- and -part-time positions devoted to export enforcement, AI executive order implementation, and modernization—all directed toward this exact issue.—
Amanda Gerut,
Fortune,
13 May 2026
-
In a separate vote, the board approved cutting 221 classified, or non-educator, positions.—
Jemma Stephenson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 May 2026
Noun
-
These tiny pots can be found on plants, rocks, pieces of wood and other places.—
Pamm Cooper,
Hartford Courant,
9 May 2026
-
Other cruise lines are altering itineraries to route around places affected by the temporary prohibition.—
Patrick Connolly,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
Texas dominated many national rankings in the report as well, with the ZIP code encompassing the Dallas suburb of Crandall ranking second on the list and a more urban Dallas ZIP code ranking 10th.—
Faith Bugenhagen,
Austin American Statesman,
28 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rungs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rungs. Accessed 15 May. 2026.
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