1
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
2
as in to classify
to arrange or assign according to type
most critics would rank him among our best actors
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1
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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2
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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3
4
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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1
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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2
as in ripe
having an unpleasant smell
smokes rank cigars that usually send me running for fresh air
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3
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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4
as in absolute
having no exceptions or restrictions
a sidewalk sale of art works by rank amateurs
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Cite this Entry
“Rank.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rank. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.
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