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 next

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Examples 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 Fed, which cut rates in September for the first time since 2020 - by a hefty half percentage point - amid slowing inflation and job growth worries, is expected to lower rates again next week and in the months ahead. —

Paul Davidson, USA TODAY, 30 Oct. 2024 Should the Federal Reserve keep cutting interest rates? —

Erik Sherman, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024

Verb

The race was rated a toss-up and too close to call according to early returns. —

Stephanie Innes, The Arizona Republic, 5 Nov. 2024 Forty percent of Georgia voters rate the economy as the most important issue in their vote, tops among five issues tested and more than the 31% who say so nationally. —

Gary Langer, ABC News, 5 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for rate