SORT Synonyms: 242 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'sort' distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of sort are character , description , kind , nature , and type . While all these words mean "a number of individuals thought of as a group because of a common quality or qualities," sort often suggests some disparagement. // the sort of newspaper dealing in sensational stories

Q: In what contexts can 'character' take the place of 'sort'?

While the synonyms character and sort are close in meaning, character implies a group marked by distinctive likenesses peculiar to the type. // research on the subject so far has been of an elementary character

Q: When is it sensible to use 'description' instead of 'sort'?

The words description and sort can be used in similar contexts, but description implies a group marked by agreement in all details belonging to a type as described or defined. // not all acts of that description are actually illegal

Q: When might 'kind' be a better fit than 'sort'?

The synonyms kind and sort are sometimes interchangeable, but kind may suggest natural grouping. // a zoo seemingly having animals of every kind

Q: When could 'nature' be used to replace 'sort'?

While in some cases nearly identical to sort , nature may imply inherent, essential resemblance rather than obvious or superficial likenesses. // two problems of a similar nature

Q: When is 'type' a more appropriate choice than 'sort'?

In some situations, the words type and sort are roughly equivalent. However, type may suggest strong and clearly marked similarity throughout the items included so that each is typical of the group. // one of three basic body types

sort 1 of 2

noun

ˈsȯrt

Definition of sort

as in kind

a number of persons or things that are grouped together because they have something in common I prefer jackets with zippers to the sort that close with buttons

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in person

a member of the human race he's a decent sort

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

sort

2 of 2

verb

as in to classify

to arrange or assign according to type sorted the mail into bills to be paid and junk to be thrown out

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to travel

to come or be together as friends you should be careful about whom you sort with

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to correspond

to be in agreement on every point that doesn't sort with what you said the last time

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word sort distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of sort are character, description, kind, nature, and type. While all these words mean "a number of individuals thought of as a group because of a common quality or qualities," sort often suggests some disparagement.

the sort of newspaper dealing in sensational stories

In what contexts can character take the place of sort?

While the synonyms character and sort are close in meaning, character implies a group marked by distinctive likenesses peculiar to the type.

research on the subject so far has been of an elementary character

When is it sensible to use description instead of sort?

The words description and sort can be used in similar contexts, but description implies a group marked by agreement in all details belonging to a type as described or defined.

not all acts of that description are actually illegal

When might kind be a better fit than sort?

The synonyms kind and sort are sometimes interchangeable, but kind may suggest natural grouping.

a zoo seemingly having animals of every kind

When could nature be used to replace sort?

While in some cases nearly identical to sort, nature may imply inherent, essential resemblance rather than obvious or superficial likenesses.

two problems of a similar nature

When is type a more appropriate choice than sort?

In some situations, the words type and sort are roughly equivalent. However, type may suggest strong and clearly marked similarity throughout the items included so that each is typical of the group.

one of three basic body types

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 sort

Noun

Sarah sorts and starts the laundry in the building’s basement laundry room. — Anne Kadet, Curbed, 14 Oct. 2026 To date, Putin has rejected calls for restrictions on aerial strikes of any sort. — Eric Ciaramella, Foreign Affairs, 14 Oct. 2026

Verb

Every hour spent sorting candidates, interviewing, onboarding, correcting course and starting over is time not spent leading the business. — Kenzie Biggins, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026 Its argument is that insurers have been pricing wildfire risk the wrong way, by looking backward at statistics and sorting homes by zip code. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 15 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sort

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sort

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

Definition of kind

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

Verb

Brazil’s machine has traveled mostly on loan to countries in Latin America, Africa and Asia.

— Solly Boussidan, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026
Most of the nitrogen used in fertilizer travels through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping channel in the Middle East controlled by Iran.

— Saige Miller, NPR, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of travel

Verb

The Rebbe corresponded with Bush, Ronald Reagan, Jimmy Carter and Gerald Ford.

— Max Goldbart, Deadline, 19 Oct. 2026
Basis trades are an arbitrage bet in which hedge funds are positioned long in cash Treasurys while shorting their corresponding futures contracts, with the aim of profiting from the price gap.

— Hugh Leask, CNBC, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of correspond

Noun

It surely was meant to evoke Atlanta’s throwback helmet, which is an homage to the team’s original red helmet used from 1966 to 1969 that featured the falcon logo on the sides and the stripes running over the top and down the center.

— Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
Step 5 Arrange cornflake mixture and marshmallows over top of purée in alternating diagonal stripes.

— Zoe Denenberg, Bon Appetit Magazine, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of stripe

Verb

About 3 in 5 Idaho adults live in households with guns, which ranks among the highest rates nationally, according to an estimate from the RAND Gun Policy in America initiative.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026
Here’s a closer look at where those marks rank in UM history.

— Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of rank

Browse Nearby Words

sorry

sort

sorted

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Style

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

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Synonyms of sort

noun

verb

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Phrases Containing sort

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Cite this Entry

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