rank 1 of 3

verb

Definition of ranknext
1
as in to be
to take or have a certain position within a group arranged in vertical classes my favorite pitcher ranks first in the league for number of consecutive outs

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Relevance
2
as in to classify
to arrange or assign according to type most critics would rank him among our best actors

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

rank

2 of 3

noun

ˈraŋk How to pronounce rank (audio)
1
as in ranking
the placement of someone or something in relation to others in a vertical arrangement attained the highest rank in the Freemasons

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2
as in dignity
high position within society remembered as a woman of rank who socialized only with other members of the elite

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in row
a series of people or things arranged side by side rank upon rank of cavalry came thundering down the hill

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4
as in category
usually ranks plural one of the units into which a whole is divided on the basis of a common characteristic this book will someday join the ranks of the world's great novels

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rank

3 of 3

adjective

1
as in rampant
growing thickly and vigorously covered with trumpet vines so rank you couldn't see the trellis beneath them

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in ripe
having an unpleasant smell smokes rank cigars that usually send me running for fresh air

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in obvious
very noticeable especially for being incorrect or bad the article about fairy tales was full of rank errors, such as a reference to "Cinderella biting into the poisoned apple"

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in absolute
having no exceptions or restrictions a sidewalk sale of art works by rank amateurs

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word rank distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of rank are fetid, fusty, malodorous, musty, noisome, putrid, and stinking. While all these words mean "bad-smelling," rank suggests a strong unpleasant smell.

rank cigar smoke

How do fusty and musty relate to one another, in the sense of rank?

Both fusty and musty suggest lack of fresh air and sunlight, fusty also implying prolonged uncleanliness, musty stressing the effects of dampness, mildew, or age.

a fusty attic
the musty odor of a damp cellar

When is malodorous a more appropriate choice than rank?

The synonyms malodorous and rank are sometimes interchangeable, but malodorous may range from the unpleasant to the strongly offensive.

malodorous fertilizers

In what contexts can noisome take the place of rank?

While the synonyms noisome and rank are close in meaning, noisome adds a suggestion of being harmful or unwholesome as well as offensive.

a stagnant, noisome sewer

When might putrid be a better fit than rank?

Although the words putrid and rank have much in common, putrid implies particularly the sickening odor of decaying organic matter.

the putrid smell of rotting fish

How are the words stinking and fetid related as synonyms of rank?

Both stinking and fetid suggest the foul or disgusting.

prisoners were held in stinking cells
the fetid odor of skunk cabbage

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 rank
Verb
The Angels rank 26th among the 30 major league teams in runs scored, so Mozeliak might well focus on offensive upgrades. — Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026 That contributes to an eighth-place ranking on the ATP’s serve quality leaderboard. — Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 31 Aug. 2026
Noun
Michigan border states and fellow industrial hubs Ohio, Indiana and Wisconsin rank fifth, sixth and ninth, respectively. — Grant Schwab, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026 For the next several summers, Wardle worked on staff, investing in the younger Scouts coming up through the ranks. — Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Aug. 2026
Adjective
The rank bigotry of a neo-Nazi newsletter filters through folks like Sean’s parents and sister (a very funny Kate Berlant) — which is to say conservatives, but mostly amiable ones. — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 16 Mar. 2026 The twin sons of former NBA player Theo Ratliff moved up 34 spots and 20 spots, respectively, in the site’s latest re-rank. — Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rank
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rank
  1. be
  2. classify
  3. ranking
  4. dignity
  5. row
  6. category
  7. rampant
  8. ripe
Verb
  • There was no catching the Redhawks on this night with Hayes playing like a world-beater.
    — Matt Le Cren, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2026
  • While crude oil can be carried via pipeline–perhaps from oil producers in the Persian Gulf to ports on the western side of the Arabian Peninsula–gas can’t, meaning there are no alternative routes to get LNG to Asia if Hormuz is blocked.
    — Katie Silver, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of be
Verb
  • Back then, Pluto was classified as a full planet, but the discovery of 1992 QB-1, as well as Kuiper Belt objects even larger than Pluto found later, raised questions about Pluto's status.
    — Tariq Malik, Space.com, 30 Aug. 2026
  • In some cases, LinkedIn says views of content classified as AI spam have decreased by as much as 40 percent.
    — Gene Marks, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of classify
Noun
  • The list measures which albums and EPs rack up the most streams throughout the United States, and neither Hussle nor Rideaux had reached the relatively new ranking before this week.
    — Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Eala is the first Filipino to win a junior Grand Slam, beat a Top Ten opponent, win a Grand Slam match, reach Wimbledon’s fourth round, win a Women’s Tennis Association tournament, and attain a Top Twenty ranking.
    — Albert Samaha, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of ranking
Noun
  • She was invested in young women and keeping the door open for the next generation of leaders, and her advocacy was always about fighting for the strength, intelligence, and dignity of women everywhere.
    — Noe Padilla, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026
  • But, as mad as the idea may have seemed back then, the tradition is still going strong 40 years later with participants coming from around the world to cast their dignity aside — along with a warm robe — and take the plunge into the freezing water.
    — Rob Tanner, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of dignity
Noun
  • When her grandparents once ran a restaurant and lived in the massive apartment above it, her grandmother kept a row of personalized bunnies on top of a roughly 7-foot pony wall, with one representing each family member.
    — Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Honda's midsize three-row SUV is a strong value and ideal for driving enthusiasts who want an SUV that isn't boring but also has plenty of passenger and cargo space.
    — Charles Singh, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of row
Noun
  • In the book’s 16 central chapters, Roden wanders from central categories such as yogurt, egg dishes, breads and pickles, showing how the countries of this region prepare stunning variations of common foodstuffs.
    — Scott Hocker, TheWeek, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Public-health guidance still frames plain water as sufficient hydration for many users, which sits in tension with the personalized electrolyte marketing driving much of the category.
    — Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of category
Adjective
  • The extremely soapy, enjoyably satirical true-life drama chronicles love, rampant betrayal and a brazen murder plot through three decades of the iconic Gucci fashion house.
    — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The federal government first created tax incentives for companies to implement employee ownership in the 1970s when stagflation was rampant and Washington wanted to generate more retirement assets for working Americans.
    — Diane Brady, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of rampant
Adjective
  • Their ripe fruit can fall and stain sidewalks and patios, so make sure the tree has plenty of room away from those areas in your yard.
    — Helena Madden, Martha Stewart, 1 Sep. 2026
  • It can be made year-round, substituting in whatever fruit is available, ripe and delicious.
    — Deputy Managing Editor, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of ripe

Phrases Containing rank

Browse Nearby Words

ran into
rank
rank and file
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Cite this Entry

“Rank.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rank. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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