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sort

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verb

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word sort distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of sort are character, description, kind, nature, and type. While all these words mean "a number of individuals thought of as a group because of a common quality or qualities," sort often suggests some disparagement.

the sort of newspaper dealing in sensational stories

In what contexts can character take the place of sort?

While the synonyms character and sort are close in meaning, character implies a group marked by distinctive likenesses peculiar to the type.

research on the subject so far has been of an elementary character

When is it sensible to use description instead of sort?

The words description and sort can be used in similar contexts, but description implies a group marked by agreement in all details belonging to a type as described or defined.

not all acts of that description are actually illegal

When might kind be a better fit than sort?

The synonyms kind and sort are sometimes interchangeable, but kind may suggest natural grouping.

a zoo seemingly having animals of every kind

When could nature be used to replace sort?

While in some cases nearly identical to sort, nature may imply inherent, essential resemblance rather than obvious or superficial likenesses.

two problems of a similar nature

When is type a more appropriate choice than sort?

In some situations, the words type and sort are roughly equivalent. However, type may suggest strong and clearly marked similarity throughout the items included so that each is typical of the group.

one of three basic body types

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 sort
Noun
And comedy of any sort, all good comedy means a lot to me. H. Alan Scott, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025 Michael Koman for a spinoff of sorts. Judy Berman, Time, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
The objectionable verbiage is sorted into categories, with explanations and descriptions. James Folta, Literary Hub, 4 Sep. 2025 That’s Marc Skinner’s team talk sorted nine months in advance. Megan Feringa, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sort
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sort
Noun
  • Given the number of works Apple may have infringed upon, the plaintiffs, Hendrix and Roberson, have requested the court to turn their complaint into a class action and block the company from further infringement of this kind.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 8 Sep. 2025
  • The lawsuit, which was first reported by Courthouse News, is one of the first of its kind and could set meaningful precedent for AI abuses in the future.
    Kyle Ingram, Charlotte Observer, 7 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • In 2024, the Cowboys generated about $300 million in sponsorship revenue, by far the most in the NFL, according to a person familiar with the matter, who asked not to be named because they were not authorized to speak publicly.
    Michael Ozanian, CNBC, 4 Sep. 2025
  • Another person from the United States, Ciandrea Bryne Davis, has also been charged for their role in transferring money via cryptocurrency as a part of the conspiracy, officials say.
    David Ferrara, The Enquirer, 4 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The star, classified as IRAS 04302+2247, or IRAS 04302, is a protostar, with its disk measuring at around 40 billion miles (65 billion km) wide.
    Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 4 Sep. 2025
  • It was classified as a heritage site in 1995 and then as a national monument in 1997.
    Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 4 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The Holiday star was traveling with his wife, Phillipa Coan, according to the Daily Mail, which obtained footage of the fall.
    Angel Saunders, People.com, 3 Sep. 2025
  • The discovery highlighted the lengths some mammals will travel to find resources during sweltering summer months.
    John Leos, AZCentral.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Following the success of EA’s 2024 return to college football, the company teased a corresponding basketball series this June.
    Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 5 Sep. 2025
  • In the corresponding quarter last year, comparable store sales were down 21 percent.
    Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 4 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • While you guys had staff inside laughing, pointing and even flicking off the crowd outside.
    Megan Cartwright, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Sep. 2025
  • What did you guys do to prepare to be on-screen journalists?
    David Wysong, The Enquirer, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Everytown for Gun Safety, an organization lobbying for greater gun control across the country, ranks Minnesota 14th in the nation on gun law strength.
    Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 4 Sep. 2025
  • The most recent edition of Deloitte’s Football Money League, which ranks clubs worldwide by revenue, had six English clubs (no prizes for guessing which) in the top 10.
    Oliver Kay, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Of course, with a luxury experience also comes a luxurious price tag and the cost of tickets won’t be the kind of budget fares people most associate with bus travel.
    Opheli Garcia Lawler, Travel + Leisure, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Consuming 400 grams of dairy daily was associated with a 2% increase in risk.
    Merve Ceylan, Health, 7 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sort.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sort. Accessed 8 Sep. 2025.

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