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

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in ripe

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in absolute

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Providence was ranked last year as the least affordable metro for renters. — Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2026 In terms of color gamut, the Scar 18 ranked highest among its competitors, covering 100% of the sRGB and DCI-P3 gamuts, and 94% of Adobe RGB. — Marshall Honorof, PC Magazine, 24 Oct. 2026

Noun

The sisters are among the growing ranks of women touched by the disease. — Susan Degrane, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026 The Jets, coached by former cornerback Aaron Glenn, rank fourth in the NFL against the pass. — David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026

Adjective

The hypocrisy is especially rank as RFK pushes the Food and Drug Administration to loosen restrictions on peptides, an experimental fad among wellness influencers who scorn traditional medicine. — Editorial Board, Washington Post, 24 Mar. 2026 The rank bigotry of a neo-Nazi newsletter filters through folks like Sean’s parents and sister (a very funny Kate Berlant) — which is to say conservatives, but mostly amiable ones. — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 16 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rank

Recent Examples of Synonyms for rank

Verb

The boos rained down again after many of the Hornets’ turnovers, and there were 25 of them altogether.

— Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 24 Oct. 2026
When Silverstein joined parent company Spencer’s in 2003, there were only 130 Spirit stores nationwide.

— Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of be

Verb

In an April 2026 live-fire exercise at Fort Hood, Texas, the Army demonstrated an autonomous sensor on one platform that detected and classified a hostile drone, then passed data and an engagement command to a weapon system on another platform.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2026
Trump also classified Brazil’s biggest drug-trafficking groups as foreign terrorist organizations shortly after receiving Bolsonaro at the White House — a move Lula’s administration opposed as a pretext for intervention.

— Eléonore Hughes, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of classify

Noun

Under Porter's direction, the ensemble mines every beat for honest friction, turning a century-old battle over dignity and artistic ownership into an electrifying stage presence.

— La'Tasha Givens, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026
Absurd and darkly humorous drama, offering an unconventional take on aging, loneliness and human dignity.

— Annika Pham, Variety, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of dignity

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

Definition of category

Adjective

In fact, the recent regulations from the Treasury Department do little to hide the exclusion and theft rampant in the program.

— Denise Forte, Baltimore Sun, 21 Oct. 2026
At the same time, Sanaa sympathized with the police, who were far outnumbered by vandals, many of them young men from France’s poorest suburbs, where youth unemployment is rampant.

— Michael Finnegan, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of rampant

Adjective

Measures Of Success Going deeper than ratings or viewing time is key to identifying classic IP that is ripe for relaunch or reinvention.

— Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 26 Oct. 2026
Rioting, looting and chaos provide Marine Le Pen and her National Rally party with issues ripe for a campaign focused on immigration and public disorder.

— Editorial Board, Washington Post, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of ripe

Cite this Entry

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“Rank.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rank. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of rank

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adjective

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