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Definition of ordernext
1
as in sequence
the way objects in space or events in time are arranged or follow one another you always keep your books in perfect alphabetical order we haven't found out the order of the speeches yet

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
3
as in type
a number of persons or things that are grouped together because they have something in common collects movie posters, photographs and autographs of the stars, and other memorabilia of that order

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4
as in medal
a piece of metal given in honor of a special event, a person, or an achievement a book with full-color illustrations of British orders and decorations

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7
as in class
one of the segments of society into which people are grouped the lower orders were once expected to be content living out their lives as servants to the upper classes

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1
2
as in to request
to give a request or demand for the players ordered hamburgers for lunch

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3
as in to ask
to request the doing of by virtue of one's authority the teacher ordered that everyone sit down immediately and be quiet

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

4

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb order contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of order are arrange, marshal, methodize, organize, and systematize. While all these words mean "to put persons or things into their proper places in relation to each other," order suggests a straightening out so as to eliminate confusion.

ordered her business affairs

Where would arrange be a reasonable alternative to order?

The words arrange and order are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, arrange implies a setting in sequence, relationship, or adjustment.

arranged the files numerically

When can marshal be used instead of order?

The meanings of marshal and order largely overlap; however, marshal suggests gathering and arranging in preparation for a particular operation or effective use.

marshaling the facts for argument

When would methodize be a good substitute for order?

While in some cases nearly identical to order, methodize suggests imposing an orderly procedure rather than a fixed scheme.

methodizes every aspect of daily living

When might organize be a better fit than order?

In some situations, the words organize and order are roughly equivalent. However, organize implies arranging so that the whole aggregate works as a unit with each element having a proper function.

organized the volunteers into teams

In what contexts can systematize take the place of order?

The synonyms systematize and order are sometimes interchangeable, but systematize implies arranging according to a predetermined scheme.

systematized billing procedures

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 order
Noun
Much of Thursday’s courtroom debate centered on whether the judge’s order was in fact final, which would close the case and nullify Desulme’s counterclaim. — Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2026 Residents in low-lying and flood prone areas along the San Juan, Rio Blanco, Navajo, and Piedra Rivers are under a mandatory evacuation order. — Libby Smith, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026
Verb
Vertical lines, from the tines of the pitchfork to the church steeple in the background, organize and order the composition. — Kelly Presutti, ARTnews.com, 23 Oct. 2026 For dessert, order the donuts with winter spice sugar and apple cider reduction. — Lindsay Cohn, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for order
Recent Examples of Synonyms for order
Noun
  • That sequence also has a quick cameo from Aaron Paul, who plays Matt’s dad in one of his transformations.
    — Jordan Moreau, Variety, 25 Oct. 2026
  • The sequence demonstrated the ability of different naval weapon systems to participate in a coordinated engagement against a surface target.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • The organization built a political presence in Texas with lobbying and legislative testimony as the state pushed back on transgender ideology in recent years.
    — Hudson Crozier, The Washington Examiner, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Databricks helps organizations collect, process, and analyze large amounts of data and has been used by companies, such as Al-Futtaim Group, to help optimize its supply chain and develop a customer loyalty program.
    — Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Over the period, visibility was supported by itinerant pop-ups under the new Miu Miu Vinyl Club format and the brand unveiled the Miu Miu Shanghai IFC lounge, a one-of-a-kind environment providing intimate hospitality.
    — Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Still, a controversy of some kind might have been inevitable.
    — Jack Denton, Vulture, 22 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Kaylia Nemour of Algeria recovered from a misstep on vault in the all-around finals on Friday that cost her a medal to easily defend her gold on uneven bars.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Giulio Dalvit, curator of sculpture at the Frick, said that the exhibition’s five free-standing figures, two tomb monuments, 11 cast reliefs and eight commemorative medals represent a large portion of bronze artworks from 15th-century Siena.
    — Blake Gopnik, New York Times, 22 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • David Chokachi is in the best shape of his life thanks, in part, to an unconventional routine.
    — Tracy Wright, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Nordic Knots’s rug is one way to add a slight edge to your floors, as its sharp geometry on soft wool juxtaposes the severity of the shapes.
    — Alex Eagle, Vogue, 25 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Believing her daughter’s life was on the line, Del Mastro followed the caller’s instructions for five hours.
    — Muskaan Arshad, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Over seven full-lengths, Butler has created a multi-volume instruction manual for transcendence.
    — Dash Lewis, Pitchfork, 23 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • The findings bring an entirely new class of personalized cancer medicine a step closer to reality.
    — Mike McRae October 25, New Atlas, 26 Oct. 2026
  • The Times story turned her success into a parable about class and America’s new ultrarich.
    — Ben Smith, semafor.com, 26 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • The alliance will fund work on species in the three highest-risk categories (endangered, critically endangered, and extinct in the wild), which together include more than 31,000 species.
    — Sydney Lake, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026
  • The category saw orders triple as shoppers sought out fragrances, K-beauty skin care and took inspiration from spring 2027 looks with glowy skin, smoky eyes and textured hair.
    — Kanika Talwar, Footwear News, 21 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Order.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/order. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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