rack 1 of 2

noun

Definition of racknext
1
as in bed
a place set aside for sleeping the clock struck midnight, signaling that it was time to hit the rack

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in distress
a state of great suffering of body or mind suffering the rack of a sprained ankle, the climber had to make his way back down the mountain to camp felt the rack of regret after losing her temper with her teenagers

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

rack

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to plague
to cause persistent suffering to the young man was racked with guilt over the lie he had told to his parents the country has been racked by years of civil war

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to pull
to injure by overuse, misuse, or pressure she racked her brain trying to remember where she'd put the money the sails of the boat were racked by the storm's winds

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word rack different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of rack are afflict, torment, torture, and try. While all these words mean "to inflict on a person something that is hard to bear," rack stresses straining or wrenching.

a body racked by pain

When would afflict be a good substitute for rack?

Although the words afflict and rack have much in common, afflict is a general term and applies to the causing of pain or suffering or of acute annoyance, embarrassment, or any distress.

ills that afflict the elderly

When is it sensible to use torment instead of rack?

The meanings of torment and rack largely overlap; however, torment suggests persecution or the repeated inflicting of suffering or annoyance.

a horse tormented by flies

Where would torture be a reasonable alternative to rack?

The words torture and rack can be used in similar contexts, but torture adds the implication of causing unbearable pain or suffering.

tortured by a sense of guilt

When is try a more appropriate choice than rack?

The words try and rack are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, try suggests imposing something that strains the powers of endurance or of self-control.

children often try their parents' patience

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 rack
Noun
A lot of the objects that were made out of Secondary have to do with structures that are enacted by the body, like a power rack, for example. — Andy Battaglia, ARTnews.com, 21 Aug. 2026 Dishwasher racks are valuable real estate that shouldn’t be monopolized by your cat and his Fancy Feast. — John Hodgman, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026
Verb
This version centers a guilt-racked and traumatized Odysseus—and leaves gods and fates, mystery and wonder largely out of the picture. — Caroline Mimbs Nyce, New Yorker, 17 July 2026 Big mistake, though arguably only slightly more stupid than Susan, who stacks the dishwasher cutlery rack with the knives blade up. — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 8 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for rack
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rack
  1. bed
  2. distress
  3. plague
  4. pull
  5. couch
  6. pain
  7. persecute
  8. bunk
Noun
  • Think custom modern furniture, beds dressed in cloud-like linens, and soothing palettes of cream, sand and light timber.
    — Stephanie Orma, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Cole had risen from bed, turned on the light by her sister’s desk, then left her alone.
    — Laura Preston, New Yorker, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of bed
Noun
  • Its movements and squeaks change in response to the person interacting with it, giving caregivers another way to reduce distress and encourage engagement.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
  • He was found kneeling in front of a piano and striking the keys, in apparent distress.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of distress
Verb
  • The research team identified opportunities to improve the atomic layer etching (ALE) approach, which offers significant advantages over the conventional methods but was plagued by difficulties for practical use.
    — Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Troubles from the start The groundbreaking attraction, which Six Flags has sunk millions of dollars into, was plagued with problems from the outset.
    — Blake Ellis, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of plague
Verb
  • Pratt fouled off Thornton’s first pitch and then pulled back his bat on the second one, a fastball right down the middle.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Washington has turned to pulling economic levers six months into a war on Iran that has ground to a stalemate militarily, with peace talks stalled and most traffic through the crucial Strait of Hormuz blocked.
    — Tucker Reals, CBS News, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of pull
Noun
  • Food and drink The inn's lobby doubles as a café that’s open to the public for certain hours of the day—enjoy a coffee and pastry on one of the front porch’s comfortable couches to start the day right.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Aug. 2026
  • There’s nothing better than sitting on the couch to binge your favorite TV show.
    — Mya Copeland, Variety, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of couch
Noun
  • California has taken pains to eliminate coal as a source of electricity, and this would be the first coal export terminal in California — or anywhere on the West Coast.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The world unjustly suppresses and gives pain to an individual.
    — Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of pain
Verb
  • García Luna pledged to restore independence and public confidence in the Public Ministry and began reviewing cases involving officials, journalists, and others who alleged that they had been politically persecuted under the previous administration.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Other Eurasian emperors of the time also did not persecute occult practitioners as Ivan did in the lead-up to the second oprichnina, actions more in line with attitudes in early modern Christian Europe than those common among rulers of Asia.
    — Foreign Affairs, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of persecute
Noun
  • The Los Angeles Police Department released a video that shows officers at the Valley jail manhandle an uncooperative inmate who died after he was left handcuffed with a bag over his head while laying prone on the bunk in his cell.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Perhaps the bunk room, which features two sets of queen bunk beds perfect for friend groups, families, and those young at heart.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of bunk

Phrases Containing rack

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racked
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Cite this Entry

“Rack.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rack. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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