FILES Synonyms: 63 Similar and Opposite Words

files 1 of 3

verb (1)

present tense third-person singular of file

as in rubs

to make smooth by friction beautifully filed nails that obviously had been done by a manicurist

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

files

2 of 3

verb (2)

present tense third-person singular of file

as in marches

to move along with a steady regular step especially in a group to the strains of that familiar music, this year's graduating class filed into the auditorium

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

files

3 of 3

noun

plural of file

as in queues

a series of persons or things arranged one behind another a long file of people waiting to get tickets to the game

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 files

Verb

Today, four of the 12 largest online sellers to American consumers -- Temu, SHEIN, TikTok Shop and AliExpress -- appear nowhere in NRF's Top 100, because none of them files with the Securities and Exchange Commission as a US retailer. — Jason Goldberg, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026 The beloved character files a claim that the Acme corporation — the fictional company that sells the faulty products prominently seen in Looney Tunes cartoons — is purposefully selling bad products to Coyote in his efforts to catch Roadrunner. — Tommy McArdle, PEOPLE, 13 Aug. 2026 If the prosecution files a motion for summary disposition, the presiding judge — Hippler, in Kohberger’s case — will likely schedule a hearing. — Alex Brizee july 30, Idaho Statesman, 30 July 2026 The company, which files an annual report in Sweden under the name Eriksson Bros AB, has yet to release its most recent disclosure. — Justin Birnbaum, Sportico.com, 30 July 2026 Many code enforcement violations can go unnoticed until someone files a complaint. — James Taylor, CBS News, 30 July 2026 Police chief files formal complaint The letter, sent by Madel to Kao on April 1, became publicly known Tuesday and the Pioneer Press obtained a copy. — Mara H. Gottfried, Twin Cities, 29 July 2026 Instead, the money will be split among everyone who files a valid claim. — Sydney Lake, Fortune, 29 July 2026 The Department of Justice has said repeatedly since the disclosure of the Epstein files that there are no credible allegations or evidence that would lead to new federal criminal investigations. — Lauren Peller, ABC News, 23 July 2026

Noun

Around 1,200 agents overall exchanged more than 70,000 messages and files through an unauthorized message board, coordinating ways to game a hacking evaluation. — Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2026 The phone includes 128GB of storage for photos, videos, software, and other files, plus compatibility with current iOS 26 updates. — Stackcommerce Team, PC Magazine, 27 Aug. 2026 Plaintiffs claim that these companies collected voice and audio files without consent. — Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026 In all, 1,200 agents sent more than 70,000 messages and files through the unsanctioned message board, according to an independent investigation from the AI research nonprofit METR. — Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 27 Aug. 2026 The government had checked a hundred and fifty thousand names against its files, actively monitoring immigrants and citizens alike, and deported at least seventy-eight people. — Rozina Ali, New Yorker, 21 Aug. 2026 The documents focus on Swalwell’s relationship with Fang in 2015, though much of the information contained in the files had already been reported publicly. — Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 20 Aug. 2026 Agents should never store static credentials in code repositories or configuration files. — Morey Haber, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for files

Verb

Achord stands behind Smack each time and, before one kick, rubs his belly with his other hand over his head as some sort of signal.

— Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
But during the following two years, Van Lith saw only gigantic tracks and adrenaline-inspiring antler rubs that had been left behind by the buck of his dreams.

— Jeff Murray, Outdoor Life, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of rubs

Verb

The two women performing a song flee to safety as Montes reaches the bimah, spins around and marches back down the aisle, this time escorted from behind by a security guard, while furiously pounding the air with his fist and ranting.

— Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 15 Aug. 2026
Bishop Moore marches down the field thanks to a facemask penalty and a 29-yard pass from Blake McCullough to Drew Follett.

— Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of marches

Noun

Over the opening weekend of the Premier League season, versions of this conversation are ubiquitous across the country — in pubs, queues at burger vans, stadiums, online, at home.

— George Caulkin, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
All automatically delivered, no queues, no paperwork required.

— Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of queues

Verb

Thorn cuts the pieces for his puzzle-style artworks, sands them, paints them, then glues them into a frame.

— Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 28 June 2026
Sawdust sprays as Matt Sams meticulously sands the edges of a balcony railing that will soon be affixed to the front of a house.

— Dallas Morning News, Dallas Morning News, 23 Feb. 2026

Definition of sands

Verb

Coach Chilton strides in, strikingly different from the coach Rebecca’s used to having stride into her office.

— Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
Ed Sheeran strides to Taylor Swift wedding Ed Sheeran, clad in a bright aqua blue suit, arrived holding hands with wife Cherry Seaborn.

— Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 4 July 2026

Definition of strides

Noun

Some columns from that time showed more nuance or even compassion, including an opinion piece published by The Washington Post in February 2002.

— Madeline Mitchell, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026
The district also provided only hourly wages for some employees and annual pay for others, hence the two separate pay columns in our database.

— Caitlin McGlade, Charlotte Observer, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of columns

Verb

While a classic button-down shirt is always timeless, a peplum top offers the same wearability with a waist-defining silhouette that instantly polishes any bottom they’re paired with.

— Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 1 Aug. 2026
The PowerPaste polishes and protects more delicate surfaces, while the Tangerine Clean is more abrasive for serious scrubbing.

— Brittany VanDerBill, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 July 2026

Definition of polishes

Noun

The show is leaning into its strengths, dialing up the madcap comedy and overlapping dialogue while keeping the story lines rooted in recognizable rites of passage for young people.

— Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
Tri-County acknowledged issues with tree branches touching power lines and committed additional resources for tree trimming and system inspections, while local businesses reported lost revenue from outages that often last one to two hours.

— Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of lines

Browse Nearby Words

filed

files

filibuster

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Files.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/files. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of files

verb (1)

verb (2)

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

conscientious

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Popular in Wordplay

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes