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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
The Panther showed how the idea could also be understood as a gift—a superpower of sorts—that enables Black people to move freely between parallel, coexisting truths and realities. Ekow Eshun july 11, Literary Hub, 11 July 2025 Viewing the team’s three-year stint here as an audition of sorts, officials have pondered if the local enthusiasm for baseball could help prove the Sacramento region as a welcome home for MLB. Sacbee.com, 10 July 2025
Verb
Some people like to come back to fresh bedding, a tidy closet and an empty hamper so that everything from the trip can be dumped or sorted right away. Kristina McGuirk, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 July 2025 The researchers then ran fitness tests on the participants and randomly sorted them into two groups. Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 8 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for sort
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sort
Noun
  • The festival is the largest of its kind in the United States and is sponsored by the San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin.
    Jane Tyska, Mercury News, 13 July 2025
  • Allegiant does not tolerate disruptive behavior of any kind.
    Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 July 2025
Noun
  • The person jumped into the water on the 100 block of North Water Street at about 10:44 p.m. on July 20, the department said in an email.
    David Clarey, jsonline.com, 21 July 2025
  • It has been shown to reduce anxiety levels and physiologic stress, which can help a person relax and improve rest or sleep patterns.
    Ayesha Gulzar, Verywell Health, 21 July 2025
Verb
  • The information, classified as secret, pertained to military targets and Russian military capabilities, according to the plea agreement.
    CBS News, CBS News, 14 July 2025
  • Hotels were classified among resorts, city hotels, inn or safari lodge.
    Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 July 2025
Verb
  • It’s thought that Netanyahu may travel to New York in September, prior to the mayoral election, to speak at the U.N. General Assembly’s world leaders meeting.
    Callum Sutherland, Time, 22 July 2025
  • Over the water, the crucial news traveled that entire night in the form of questions and answers.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 July 2025
Verb
  • Analyst Alan Gould’s new price target of $510, raised from $430, corresponds to about 33% upside ahead.
    Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 19 July 2025
  • Note: Most subscribers have some, but not all, of the puzzles that correspond to the following set of solutions for their local newspaper.
    USA TODAY, USA Today, 19 July 2025
Noun
  • This -- Donald Trump should never have been hanging out with this guy and any other politician, any other human being.
    ABC News, ABC News, 20 July 2025
  • Our guys just competed and just really proud of the effort.
    LaMond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 20 July 2025
Verb
  • Tolle, Boston’s second-round pick, is currently ranked No. 49 on Baseball America’s Top 100.
    Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 13 July 2025
  • Jack Draper: Second Round Stunner Draper entered Wimbledon ranked No. 4, the highest of a British player since Andy Murray.
    Merlisa Lawrence Corbett, Forbes.com, 13 July 2025
Verb
  • That's in addition to the payments the city still has to make to pay off debt associated with the arena.
    John Tuohy, IndyStar, 22 July 2025
  • Showers and thunderstorms associated with a small area of low pressure located about 900 miles east-southeast of the Lesser Antilles have increased some during the past several hours.
    Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 22 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sort.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sort. Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.

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