rank 1 of 3

rank

2 of 3

noun

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

2
3
as in row
a series of people or things arranged side by side rank upon rank of cavalry came thundering down the hill

Synonyms & Similar Words

4

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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
In a survey of more than 15,000 users after its rollout in 2024, 90% of respondents ranked their experience as excellent or above average. Rachel Barber, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025 According to the report, the state’s 3.14 homeless per 1,000 residents ranks ninth nationally. Derek Draplin | The Center Square, The Washington Examiner, 19 Apr. 2025
Noun
Voices Calmes: The case that proves the U.S., under Trump, no longer stands for rule of law April 16, 2025 The ranks of Munger, Tolles used to include one Usha Vance, who resigned in the summer after her husband, JD, was chosen as Trump’s vice presidential running mate and avenging mini-me. Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2025 Hall's early retirement marks the latest high-profile departure from the NIH, which has seen its ranks of top scientists gutted through oustings and layoffs under the Trump administration since February. Kiki Intarasuwan, CBS News, 16 Apr. 2025
Adjective
Only Tokio is expected to remain, albeit in rank 3, while Osaka/Kyoto is expected to fall as far as rank 13 by 2040, down from formerly rank 3. Katharina Buchholz, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025 Brownfield to wetlands: Pima county officials plan green future for contaminated facility Finally, John Leos visited Tucson to meet with some of the folks who are trying to clean-up a wastewater treatment plant that, for years, filled surrounding areas with a pretty rank odor. Shaun McKinnon, The Arizona Republic, 30 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for rank
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rank
Verb
  • There were a couple of Palm Beach restaurants added to the Bib Gourmand list, too: aioli and Palm Beach Meats, both from West Palm Beach.
    Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 18 Apr. 2025
  • At this time, there is no information on the containment of the fire and the cause of it has yet to be determined.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 18 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The International Union for Conservation of Nature classifies the Western Santa Cruz tortoises as critically endangered, estimating approximately 3,400 tortoises remained as of 2010.
    Ayana Archie, NPR, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Kathleen Kelley Reardon, an expert on organizational politics, classifies political environments from minimally to pathologically politicized.
    Caroline Castrillon, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Moana also returned to the movie rankings after two weeks outside the top 10 with 223 million minutes.
    Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2025
  • That’s high praise for a player who until pretty recently was just trying to finish number-one in the PGA Tour University rankings.
    Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 10 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Many Cambodians, particularly in the countryside, welcomed the Khmer Rouge, with its mix of hard-line communist ideology and extreme Cambodian nationalism, as liberators who promised to restore order and dignity.
    Sophal Ear, The Conversation, 14 Apr. 2025
  • The importance of connection and socialization is evident every day in Florida’s assisted living communities, a communal long-term care setting designed to provide seniors with a sense of dignity, independence and belonging.
    Gail Matillo, Sun Sentinel, 13 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Crabgrass preventer products must be applied before crabgrass begins to germinate after soil temperatures reach 55 degrees Fahrenheit for several days in a row.
    Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2025
  • This is the fourth time in a row that the Clippers played the Nuggets in a playoff game and lost despite leading by double digits.
    Law Murray, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • For instance, the international feature category currently honors the submitting country, not the director — even though the director’s name is engraved on the Oscar statuette.
    Clayton Davis, Variety, 11 Apr. 2025
  • The category’s inaugural Oscar will be given out in 2028 at the 100th Academy Awards, honoring films released in 2027.
    Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Of course, there has also been rampant speculation that Styles could be the latest marquee WWE star to jump ship to AEW.
    Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025
  • Obviously the rampant physical comedy benefits from a lot of special effects and stunts.
    Chris Willman, Variety, 19 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • This is about a team with a top-10 payroll whose GM committed too stinking much of it to dogs that can’t, or won’t, pull the sled.
    Sean Keeler, The Denver Post, 22 Dec. 2019
  • Muttaiah said the man inside the stinking manhole was working without any safety equipment — no gloves, no shoes, no supplemental oxygen.
    Joanna Slater, Washington Post, 16 Dec. 2019

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Cite this Entry

“Rank.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rank. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.

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