RANK Synonyms: 373 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

rank 1 of 3

verb

Definition of rank next

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

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

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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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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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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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

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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as in stinking

having an unpleasant smell smokes rank cigars that usually send me running for fresh air

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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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as in absolute

having no exceptions or restrictions a sidewalk sale of art works by rank amateurs

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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

Florida ranks 32 in the nation for the amount of federal funding per student spent toward K-12, according to the Education Data Initiative. —

Clara-Sophia Daly, Miami Herald, 19 Feb. 2025 According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Maryland ranks last nationally in hospital offloads. —

Rebecca Pryor, Baltimore Sun, 19 Feb. 2025

Noun

Amazon, the nation’s second-largest private employer, has long sought to keep unions out of its ranks. —

Annie Palmer, CNBC, 15 Feb. 2025 Here’s what to know about the federal workforce, its job protections and the process of cutting back on its ranks. —

Brian Witte, Chicago Tribune, 14 Feb. 2025

Adjective

But nobody has ever managed to do what BMW has: Its new TwinPower engine, also known as the N20, is so powerful and responsive that only a rank sentimentalist would miss the six-cylinder. —

IEEE Spectrum, 28 Mar. 2012 At the time, both the EU and the US were passive in the face of such shenanigans coupled the rankest disinformation. —

Melik Kaylan, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for rank

Recent Examples of Synonyms for rank

Verb

There are also tons of vacation rentals in the area, and Kosmos Stargazing Resort & Spa, kosmosresort.com, is an eco-friendly dark-sky site located about 30 minutes east of Monte Vista.

— Jamie Siebrase, The Denver Post, 16 Feb. 2025
With fentanyl, there is only a short window of time to intervene and save a person’s life during an overdose.

— Moises Velasquez-Manoff Robert Petkoff Emma Kehlbeck Zak Mouton, New York Times, 16 Feb. 2025

Definition of be

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Style

“Rank.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rank. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.

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Last Updated: 22 Feb 2025 - Updated example sentences

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Synonyms of rank

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