RATES Synonyms: 172 Similar and Opposite Words

rates 1 of 3

noun

plural of rate

as in qualities

degree of excellence not being of the first rate, these apples are usually sold as food for livestock

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Relevance

as in ratios

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

disproportions

rates

2 of 3

verb (1)

present tense third-person singular of rate

as in deserves

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?

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as in estimates

to make an approximate or tentative judgment regarding nowadays most motorists would probably rate their cell phone as an "essential" piece of electronic equipment

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as in ranks

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

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as in regards

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

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rates

3 of 3

verb (2)

present tense third-person singular of rate

as in lectures

to criticize (someone) severely or angrily especially for personal failings a tyrannical father who usually spent most of dinnertime rating his children on their alleged multitude of failings

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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 rates

Noun

If passed, the USPS will raise rates by an average of 6% for retail and commercial USPS Ground Advantage, Priority Mail, Priority Mail Express, and Parcel Select shipments, according to the USPS press release. — Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026 But rates of cardiac disease have fallen in recent years, as the medical community pivots to managing cholesterol levels, hypertension and diabetes—all risk factors for heart disease. — Angelica Ang, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2026 Structural inflation, fueled by government deficits, AI investments, low unemployment rates, growing trade barriers and energy disruptions, is reshaping the landscape for markets, according to Fidelity International. — Justina Lee, CNBC, 26 Aug. 2026 And the revision also will take into account the time constraints and investments needed to roll out a more developed EPR system, so mandatory recycling rates would be adjusted in phases to allow producers time to prepare for compliance. — Jennifer Bringle, Footwear News, 25 Aug. 2026 Rand said the prospect of insurers raising rates again fills her with dread. — Ali Swenson, Sun Sentinel, 25 Aug. 2026 The biggest change will land next year, when states with SNAP error rates of at least 6% must begin funding a percentage of the food benefits themselves. — Cuyler Dunn, Kansas City Star, 25 Aug. 2026 In addition to higher loan rates, new borrowing limits and the modification or phasing out of some repayment plans are also at play. — Deane Biermeier, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026 Lawmakers said lower wholesale prices could create more leeway for Kenya Power to cut consumer rates without damaging its finances. — ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026

Verb

The nonpartisan Cook Political Report rates 203 House seats as safely or likely Republican and 194 as safely or likely Democratic, leaving 18 races rated as toss-ups. — Rena Rowe, The Washington Examiner, 24 Aug. 2026 The bill is funded by updating how the VA rates conditions such as tinnitus and sleep apnea, part of a larger overhaul of the disability rating system underway since 2017. — Vanessa Chism, Baltimore Sun, 23 Aug. 2026 Cook Political Report rates the battle for control of the Senate as a toss up, with Republicans favored slightly to win. — Sara Dorn, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026 Roth, which rates the shares buy with a $94 price target, is more bullish. — Contessa Brewer, CNBC, 18 Aug. 2026 The Civitas Partisan Index rates the district as a toss-up in 2026 by a margin of D+1. — Mary Ramsey august 12, Charlotte Observer, 12 Aug. 2026 The Cook Political Report rates the seat as solidly Democrat, meaning Warner is likely to hold onto the seat. — Abc News, ABC News, 5 Aug. 2026 Bell will face Republican nominee Paul Berry in November, though Cook Political Report rates the district as solidly Democratic. — Saige Miller, NPR, 5 Aug. 2026 The Cook Political Report rates the Michigan 1st District race as Solidly Republican, so the winner of this primary is expected to have a strong advantage in November. — New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for rates

Noun

Summary Personality traits often blur between desirable and undesirable, with positive qualities becoming negative in extreme.

— Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
McGee joked with the crowd that their most similar qualities were distress around loud noises and mild anxiety.

— Maddie Rhodes, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of qualities

Noun

The Police Department is the most expensive city department by far, and Chicago already has one of the highest officer-to-resident ratios in the country.

— Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026
Wolfe Research uses an Earnings Quality (EQ) score, a proprietary measure that factors in seven financial ratios, along with sentiment and valuation metrics.

— Deena Zaidi, CNBC, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of ratios

Verb

Doctors say your bowel movements are worth paying attention to even without a smart toilet, and any persistent change in bathroom habits deserves a professional evaluation.

— Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Aug. 2026
Anyway, please consider thinking that Jimmy deserves an Emmy.

— Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of deserves

Verb

Robert Pozen, who lectures at MIT Sloan School of Management and was formerly president of Fidelity Investments, has an answer to the obvious question about who inspects this.

— Dara-Abasi Ita, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026
Khimasia is an independent curator who currently lectures at Rutgers University.

— News Desk, Artforum, 27 July 2026

Definition of lectures

Noun

By North Carolina’s historical standards, the answer should be no, but the bar has been lowered so much that a trip to a bottom-tier bowl feels like a victory.

— Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2026
Though the enrollment trend can be stabilizing to its balance sheet, the district is still performing well by state standards.

— Austin Horn, Miami Herald, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of standards

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

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Synonyms of rates

noun

verb (1)

verb (2)

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