rack 1 of 2

noun

Definition of racknext
1
as in bed
a place set aside for sleeping the clock struck midnight, signaling that it was time to hit the rack

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in distress
a state of great suffering of body or mind suffering the rack of a sprained ankle, the climber had to make his way back down the mountain to camp felt the rack of regret after losing her temper with her teenagers

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

rack

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to plague
to cause persistent suffering to the young man was racked with guilt over the lie he had told to his parents the country has been racked by years of civil war

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to pull
to injure by overuse, misuse, or pressure she racked her brain trying to remember where she'd put the money the sails of the boat were racked by the storm's winds

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word rack different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of rack are afflict, torment, torture, and try. While all these words mean "to inflict on a person something that is hard to bear," rack stresses straining or wrenching.

a body racked by pain

When would afflict be a good substitute for rack?

Although the words afflict and rack have much in common, afflict is a general term and applies to the causing of pain or suffering or of acute annoyance, embarrassment, or any distress.

ills that afflict the elderly

When is it sensible to use torment instead of rack?

The meanings of torment and rack largely overlap; however, torment suggests persecution or the repeated inflicting of suffering or annoyance.

a horse tormented by flies

Where would torture be a reasonable alternative to rack?

The words torture and rack can be used in similar contexts, but torture adds the implication of causing unbearable pain or suffering.

tortured by a sense of guilt

When is try a more appropriate choice than rack?

The words try and rack are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, try suggests imposing something that strains the powers of endurance or of self-control.

children often try their parents' patience

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 rack
Noun
Another student parked in the bike rack at nearby John Wayne Park and found a notice from Newport Beach Public Works stating that his e-bike will be confiscated if it's not removed within 24 hours. — Michele Gile, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026 In plain terms, the first racks Anthropic can use and the first chips Nvidia can ship arrive together, with no slack between them. — Jon Markman, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026
Verb
This version centers a guilt-racked and traumatized Odysseus—and leaves gods and fates, mystery and wonder largely out of the picture. — Caroline Mimbs Nyce, New Yorker, 17 July 2026 Big mistake, though arguably only slightly more stupid than Susan, who stacks the dishwasher cutlery rack with the knives blade up. — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 8 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for rack
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rack
  1. bed
  2. distress
  3. plague
  4. pull
  5. couch
  6. pain
  7. persecute
  8. bunk
Noun
  • Think custom modern furniture, beds dressed in cloud-like linens, and soothing palettes of cream, sand and light timber.
    — Stephanie Orma, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Cole had risen from bed, turned on the light by her sister’s desk, then left her alone.
    — Laura Preston, New Yorker, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of bed
Noun
  • Its movements and squeaks change in response to the person interacting with it, giving caregivers another way to reduce distress and encourage engagement.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
  • He was found kneeling in front of a piano and striking the keys, in apparent distress.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of distress
Verb
  • The research team identified opportunities to improve the atomic layer etching (ALE) approach, which offers significant advantages over the conventional methods but was plagued by difficulties for practical use.
    — Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Troubles from the start The groundbreaking attraction, which Six Flags has sunk millions of dollars into, was plagued with problems from the outset.
    — Blake Ellis, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of plague
Verb
  • One of the resources pulled was the Pedestrian and Bicycle Crash Analysis Tool, which was designed to capture information on cars, bicycles, and pedestrians, according to the outlet.
    — Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Moreno had previously put the club up for sale in August 2022 before pulling the team off the market five months later.
    — Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of pull
Noun
  • Between kids, pets, snacks, and nonstop lounging, our couch gets put to work every single day.
    — Jeaneen Russell, PEOPLE, 3 Sep. 2026
  • If your couch cushions are sagging and the springs are worn, use this 62%-off sofa deal as an excuse to upgrade ahead of hosting season.
    — Better Homes & Gardens, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of couch
Noun
  • For a dressier option, the Franco Sarto Loran Slides are heralded by a Travel+Leisure writer who recently wore them all over Europe with zero foot pain.
    — Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 2 Sep. 2026
  • The hospital basically told me to get over it and sleep it off but the pain was traumatic physically and mentally.
    — Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of pain
Verb
  • García Luna pledged to restore independence and public confidence in the Public Ministry and began reviewing cases involving officials, journalists, and others who alleged that they had been politically persecuted under the previous administration.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Other Eurasian emperors of the time also did not persecute occult practitioners as Ivan did in the lead-up to the second oprichnina, actions more in line with attitudes in early modern Christian Europe than those common among rulers of Asia.
    — Foreign Affairs, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of persecute
Noun
  • Two-thirds of the building had been converted into sleeping barracks, with double-decker bunks crowded one against the other.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 31 Aug. 2026
  • The Los Angeles Police Department released a video that shows officers at the Valley jail manhandle an uncooperative inmate who died after he was left handcuffed with a bag over his head while laying prone on the bunk in his cell.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of bunk

Phrases Containing rack

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racists
rack
racked
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Cite this Entry

“Rack.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rack. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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