SORT Synonyms: 242 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'sort' distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of sort are character , description , kind , nature , and type . While all these words mean "a number of individuals thought of as a group because of a common quality or qualities," sort often suggests some disparagement. // the sort of newspaper dealing in sensational stories

Q: In what contexts can 'character' take the place of 'sort'?

While the synonyms character and sort are close in meaning, character implies a group marked by distinctive likenesses peculiar to the type. // research on the subject so far has been of an elementary character

Q: When is it sensible to use 'description' instead of 'sort'?

The words description and sort can be used in similar contexts, but description implies a group marked by agreement in all details belonging to a type as described or defined. // not all acts of that description are actually illegal

Q: When might 'kind' be a better fit than 'sort'?

The synonyms kind and sort are sometimes interchangeable, but kind may suggest natural grouping. // a zoo seemingly having animals of every kind

Q: When could 'nature' be used to replace 'sort'?

While in some cases nearly identical to sort , nature may imply inherent, essential resemblance rather than obvious or superficial likenesses. // two problems of a similar nature

Q: When is 'type' a more appropriate choice than 'sort'?

In some situations, the words type and sort are roughly equivalent. However, type may suggest strong and clearly marked similarity throughout the items included so that each is typical of the group. // one of three basic body types

sort 1 of 2

noun

ˈsȯrt

Definition of sort

as in kind

a number of persons or things that are grouped together because they have something in common I prefer jackets with zippers to the sort that close with buttons

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in person

a member of the human race he's a decent sort

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

sort

2 of 2

verb

as in to classify

to arrange or assign according to type sorted the mail into bills to be paid and junk to be thrown out

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to travel

to come or be together as friends you should be careful about whom you sort with

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to correspond

to be in agreement on every point that doesn't sort with what you said the last time

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word sort distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of sort are character, description, kind, nature, and type. While all these words mean "a number of individuals thought of as a group because of a common quality or qualities," sort often suggests some disparagement.

the sort of newspaper dealing in sensational stories

In what contexts can character take the place of sort?

While the synonyms character and sort are close in meaning, character implies a group marked by distinctive likenesses peculiar to the type.

research on the subject so far has been of an elementary character

When is it sensible to use description instead of sort?

The words description and sort can be used in similar contexts, but description implies a group marked by agreement in all details belonging to a type as described or defined.

not all acts of that description are actually illegal

When might kind be a better fit than sort?

The synonyms kind and sort are sometimes interchangeable, but kind may suggest natural grouping.

a zoo seemingly having animals of every kind

When could nature be used to replace sort?

While in some cases nearly identical to sort, nature may imply inherent, essential resemblance rather than obvious or superficial likenesses.

two problems of a similar nature

When is type a more appropriate choice than sort?

In some situations, the words type and sort are roughly equivalent. However, type may suggest strong and clearly marked similarity throughout the items included so that each is typical of the group.

one of three basic body types

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 sort

Noun

There were, remarkably, plenty of men in jeans Monday night — apparently the sort who would rather risk heatstroke than wear shorts to Mötley Crüe. — Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 18 Aug. 2026 Should the Supreme Court sort all of this out as soon as possible? — The Insider, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026

Verb

Those additions can complicate sorting and downstream recycling or reduce the quality of the recovered material. — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 28 Aug. 2026 Originally from Miami, Hirschenson started her career in the mid-1990s opening envelopes and sorting headshots for legendary casting directors Janet Hirshenson and Jane Jenkins. — Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sort

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sort

Noun

John Ratcliffe’s surprise talks with Russian officials were the first of their kind since his predecessor visited in late 2021, also to deliver a warning — to not attack Ukraine.

— Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 27 Aug. 2026
The United States and India finalized a consequential trade deal in February, the first of its kind between the two countries, which promises to increase bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030.

— C. Raja Mohan, Foreign Affairs, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of kind

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
Dramatic video showed the rescue of one such person as authorities from Nepal worked to drag the man out of the mud deluge.

— Robert McGreevy, FOXNews.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of person

Verb

Back then, Pluto was classified as a full planet, but the discovery of 1992 QB-1, as well as Kuiper Belt objects even larger than Pluto found later, raised questions about Pluto's status.

— Tariq Malik, Space.com, 30 Aug. 2026
In some cases, LinkedIn says views of content classified as AI spam have decreased by as much as 40 percent.

— Gene Marks, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of classify

Verb

Against all odds, Nene takes the road less traveled and apologizes.

— Tom Smyth, Vulture, 31 Aug. 2026
From a design-forward city escape to an eco-friendly island retreat (and a uniquely historic getaway coming soon), discover what Patina can offer globe-trotters interested in a transformative way of traveling through life and through the world.

— Condé Nast Traveler, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of travel

Verb

Back in 2015, Parton and her team buried a chestnut box filled with physical copies of a brand new song in two formats, cassette and CD, along with their corresponding players, under her Dollywood DreamMore Resort and Spa.

— Isabelle Farina, Variety, 27 Aug. 2026
The cabin sound is enhanced using technology that senses intake pressure and creates a corresponding engine sound routed through the speakers.

— Basem Wasef, Robb Report, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of correspond

Noun

For years, Cole was mystified by a small, beanlike object with stripes which lurked in the background of certain drawings.

— Laura Preston, New Yorker, 30 Aug. 2026
The 2000s look typically paired these bright palettes with bold prints like polka dots, stripes, and paisleys.

— Kristina McGuirk, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of stripe

Noun

That is true about every single person around it, including Carmella’s children, the hot dog man, and the guy in the ice cream truck who only wears Phish T-shirts and bathes on Wednesdays.

— Brian Moylan, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
The team has invested too much in Joe Milton III and Sam Howell to let either guy walk.

— Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of guy

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

Definition of rank

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sorry

sort

sorted

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Style

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

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Synonyms of sort

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verb

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Synonyms of sort

noun

verb

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Phrases Containing sort

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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

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