RATE Synonyms: 172 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'rate' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of rate are appraise , assess , estimate , evaluate , and value . While all these words mean "to judge something with respect to its worth or significance," rate adds to estimate the notion of placing a thing according to a scale of values. // a highly rated restaurant

Q: When might 'appraise' be a better fit than 'rate'?

The words appraise and rate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, appraise commonly implies the fixing by an expert of the monetary worth of a thing, but it may be used of any critical judgment. // having their house appraised

Q: When could 'assess' be used to replace 'rate'?

Although the words assess and rate have much in common, assess implies a critical appraisal for the purpose of understanding or interpreting, or as a guide in taking action. // officials are trying to assess the damage

Q: When is 'estimate' a more appropriate choice than 'rate'?

The meanings of estimate and rate largely overlap; however, estimate implies a judgment, considered or casual, that precedes or takes the place of actual measuring or counting or testing out. // estimated the crowd at two hundred

Q: When is it sensible to use 'evaluate' instead of 'rate'?

The synonyms evaluate and rate are sometimes interchangeable, but evaluate suggests an attempt to determine relative or intrinsic worth in terms other than monetary. // evaluate a student's work

Q: How do 'value' and 'appraise' relate to one another, in the sense of 'rate'?

Value equals appraise but without implying expertness of judgment. // a watercolor valued by the donor at $500

rate 1 of 3

noun

ˈrāt

Definition of rate

as in quality

degree of excellence not being of the first rate, these apples are usually sold as food for livestock

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in ratio

the relationship in quantity, amount, or size between two or more things the exchange rate was 10 pesos to the dollar when we visited Mexico

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

disproportion

rate

2 of 3

verb (1)

as in to deserve

to be or make worthy of (as a reward or punishment) how does a summer intern rate a new computer when I've been told to make do with this clunker?

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in to estimate

to make an approximate or tentative judgment regarding nowadays most motorists would probably rate their cell phone as an "essential" piece of electronic equipment

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in to rank

to take or have a certain position within a group arranged in vertical classes a restaurant that consistently rates high in all the standard categories

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as in to consider

to think of in a particular way I would rate her my best friend; after all, she's always been there when I needed her

Synonyms & Similar Words

rate

3 of 3

verb (2)

as in to scold

to criticize (someone) severely or angrily especially for personal failings a tyrannical father who usually spent most of dinnertime rating his children on their alleged multitude of failings

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb rate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of rate are appraise, assess, estimate, evaluate, and value. While all these words mean "to judge something with respect to its worth or significance," rate adds to estimate the notion of placing a thing according to a scale of values.

a highly rated restaurant

When might appraise be a better fit than rate?

The words appraise and rate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, appraise commonly implies the fixing by an expert of the monetary worth of a thing, but it may be used of any critical judgment.

having their house appraised

When could assess be used to replace rate?

Although the words assess and rate have much in common, assess implies a critical appraisal for the purpose of understanding or interpreting, or as a guide in taking action.

officials are trying to assess the damage

When is estimate a more appropriate choice than rate?

The meanings of estimate and rate largely overlap; however, estimate implies a judgment, considered or casual, that precedes or takes the place of actual measuring or counting or testing out.

estimated the crowd at two hundred

When is it sensible to use evaluate instead of rate?

The synonyms evaluate and rate are sometimes interchangeable, but evaluate suggests an attempt to determine relative or intrinsic worth in terms other than monetary.

evaluate a student's work

How do value and appraise relate to one another, in the sense of rate?

Value equals appraise but without implying expertness of judgment.

a watercolor valued by the donor at $500

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 rate

Noun

The type of supply shocks that have driven the energy surge generally are considered temporary, and policymakers often will look through them when considering where to set rates. — Jeff Cox, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2026 Average tariff rates continued to fall the ensuing months, but made a reversal in August as the Section 301 duties took hold. — Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 2026

Verb

Cook Political Report rates Sullivan, Husted, Paxton, and Marshall’s races as toss-ups. — Mabinty Quarshie, The Washington Examiner, 14 Oct. 2026 The Cook Political Report and the University of Virginia's Center for Politics have both rated the Georgia Senate race as likely Democrat. — Dan Raby, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for rate

Noun

The report also raised questions about the quality of official data on vaccinations for measles and other diseases for the years 2023 to 2025.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026
If the preseason is any indication, Wiggins is going to have a quality season for the Heat.

— Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of quality

Verb

Your email account deserves special attention because criminals can use it to reset passwords for other accounts.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026
Here’s why real pumpkin deserves a place in your diet, plus delicious ways to satisfy your cravings this fall.

— Jo Ann Liguori, Flow Space, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of deserve

Verb

Within an hour, the incident was estimated at about 35 acres, including various spot fires that erupted as winds pushed the flames forward.

— Tom Tapp, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2026
And Gartner estimates that 80% of neocloud providers will cease independent operations by 2030 because their revenues won’t cover their outgoings.

— Jim Edwards, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of estimate

Verb

The Chiefs also entered the week ranked second in EPA per rush, which would be their best mark this decade.

— Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 19 Oct. 2026
After allowing four sacks and managing 33 rushing yards against the Bears, TCU ranks last in the Big 12 in rushing yards and sacks allowed.

— Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of rank

Verb

Legislators in at least 30 states have considered pricing bills this year, including measures addressing algorithmic and personalized pricing, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2026
Changing expectations or considering proposals without comparable information undermines confidence in both the process and its recommendations.

— Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of consider

Verb

By the time his daughter shows up, flanked by her mom and upright dentist stepdad, Lee’s moved on from scolding the room to thanking his mother for believing him.

— Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2026
District of Columbia Judge Ana Reyes angrily scolded government attorneys in a hearing to block the government from cutting down more trees at East Potomac Golf Course.

— ABC News, ABC News, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of scold

Browse Nearby Words

ratchet (up)

rate

rated

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Style

“Rate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rate. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of rate

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verb (1)

verb (2)

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Synonyms of rate

noun

verb (1)

verb (2)

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Phrases Containing rate

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Cite this Entry

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