Definition of ratenext
1
as in quality
degree of excellence not being of the first rate, these apples are usually sold as food for livestock

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in ratio
the relationship in quantity, amount, or size between two or more things the exchange rate was 10 pesos to the dollar when we visited Mexico

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

rate

2 of 3

verb (1)

1
as in to deserve
to be or make worthy of (as a reward or punishment) how does a summer intern rate a new computer when I've been told to make do with this clunker?

Synonyms & Similar Words

2
3
as in to rank
to take or have a certain position within a group arranged in vertical classes a restaurant that consistently rates high in all the standard categories

Synonyms & Similar Words

4
as in to consider
to think of in a particular way I would rate her my best friend; after all, she's always been there when I needed her

Synonyms & Similar Words

rate

3 of 3

verb (2)

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb rate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of rate are appraise, assess, estimate, evaluate, and value. While all these words mean "to judge something with respect to its worth or significance," rate adds to estimate the notion of placing a thing according to a scale of values.

a highly rated restaurant

When might appraise be a better fit than rate?

The words appraise and rate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, appraise commonly implies the fixing by an expert of the monetary worth of a thing, but it may be used of any critical judgment.

having their house appraised

When could assess be used to replace rate?

Although the words assess and rate have much in common, assess implies a critical appraisal for the purpose of understanding or interpreting, or as a guide in taking action.

officials are trying to assess the damage

When is estimate a more appropriate choice than rate?

The meanings of estimate and rate largely overlap; however, estimate implies a judgment, considered or casual, that precedes or takes the place of actual measuring or counting or testing out.

estimated the crowd at two hundred

When is it sensible to use evaluate instead of rate?

The synonyms evaluate and rate are sometimes interchangeable, but evaluate suggests an attempt to determine relative or intrinsic worth in terms other than monetary.

evaluate a student's work

How do value and appraise relate to one another, in the sense of rate?

Value equals appraise but without implying expertness of judgment.

a watercolor valued by the donor at $500

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 rate
Noun
Since taking over as Fed chair in May, Warsh has remained quiet on what’s next for short-term rates. Rachel Barber, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026 But other horses like that, or those that are completely the opposite, don’t have Gold Phoenix’s success rate or longevity. Jay Posner, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026
Verb
Together, Jaybush, Brad Chambers, and the American Heavy Moving team figured out a route through the city that avoided street trees, tight turns, and roads that run above old, fragile sewer pipes, which aren’t rated for heavy loads. Nicola Twilley, New Yorker, 27 Aug. 2026 But most forecasters rate the race as leaning toward a Cooper win. David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rate
Noun
  • The centre-back hopes signing for Birmingham will bring out latent leadership qualities.
    Katie Whyatt, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
  • None of the lead articles compare firms that adopted these AI processes with otherwise similar firms that did not, on realized strategy quality or long-run performance.
    Steve Denning, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Ashcraft has allowed two runs over his last two starts (17 IP), fashioning a 14-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio.
    Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026
  • The state also set itself apart for its favorable income-to-cost ratio and high community volunteer rate.
    Tania Azhang, Sacbee.com, 25 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Sure, pedicures get more playtime over the summer, but that doesn’t mean your toes don’t deserve the same attention once temperatures drop.
    Marianne Mychaskiw, Allure, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Someone may be ready to move before the details deserve that level of enthusiasm.
    Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 1 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Analysts estimate that clearing this existing backlog will take another 10 to 15 days.
    , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Coulter estimated Thursday that the library system receives one request per year.
    Joseph Flaherty, Arkansas Online, 28 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Models ranked some outcomes more consistently than individual evaluators.
    Steve Denning, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2026
  • An internal company memo from around the time of the recovery mission — also obtained by CNBC — indicates Coupang coordinated the computer recovery at the behest of a high-ranking national security officer from the South Korean president’s office.
    Justin Papp, CNBC, 31 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • After Sunday’s game, manager John Schneider indicated the club was still considering all options.
    Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Asked about the cause of the capsize, Erhurman noted the storm, but said the weather was considered suitable for travel.
    Reuters, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Historically, the United States has sent mixed messages to Europeans, encouraging them to step up but then scolding them for seeking autonomy.
    JENNIFER KAVANAGH, Foreign Affairs, 28 Aug. 2026
  • In fact, during testing, the handheld triggered nostalgic memories of playing Final Fantasy Legend and Mario Land 2 on long car rides to my grandparents' house, but without the eye strain and being scolded for playing in the dark as the sun set.
    Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 22 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Some soldiers distinguished themselves by helping to render emergency trauma response and first aid to civilians, earning individual service commendations, according to the Arkansas National Guard.
    Neal Earley, Arkansas Online, 29 Aug. 2026
  • On Monday, those five writers — also DSA-LA members — panned the idea of an endorsement, saying Raman hasn’t earned it.
    Sandra McDonald, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!