1
as in stages
an individual part of a process, series, or ranking
they worked on the project by degrees and eventually it got done
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in levels
the placement of someone or something in relation to others in a vertical arrangement
a Freemason of the 32nd degree
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of degrees
Lunar Sheen Popover This Lunar Sheen Popover is the perfect solution for the days where temperatures rise above 60 degrees.
—
Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 11 Jan. 2026
With temperatures near 50 degrees and colder wind chills, demonstrators bundled up — including Dobby, a foster dog who is protesting in her best sweater.
—Julianna Duennes Russ, Austin American Statesman, 10 Jan. 2026
Always cook chicken to an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit to kill any harmful bacteria.
—Carley Millhone, Health, 10 Jan. 2026
The high today will be 81 degrees and the low will be 64 degrees.
—Elainie Barraza, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 Jan. 2026
The bitter cold felt throughout the city was worse than what thermometers registered in the tiny town of Hell, Michigan, which was minus 17 degrees.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 10 Jan. 2026
Expect sunny skies, gusty winds, and a high around 55 degrees.
—Lauren Bostwick, CBS News, 10 Jan. 2026
Gorbacz explains that cranking the thermostat up to 75 or 78 degrees Fahrenheit will cause the system to run nonstop.
—Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 10 Jan. 2026
Also, in the walk-in cooler, the mac and cheese, the curry goat and oxtail were over 41 degrees.
—David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for degrees
Noun
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In North Carolina, only 29% of independent stages identified themselves as profitable in 2024, according to a report from the National Independent Venues Association.—
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The festival is expected to host more than 50,000 people each day of the event, with multiple stages in place for performances.—
Noun
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The firm’s asset and wealth management division should also see gains as stock market levels remained buoyant in the quarter.—
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There is a famous image of a bireme, from a relief found at the Assyrian palace at Nineveh (in modern Iraq, near Mosul), that clearly illustrates the use of a decked warship with two levels of oars.—
Noun
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Perry made four 3-pointers, shot 7 of 13 from the field and made all 12 of his free-throw attempts in surpassing his previous career best of 17 points.—
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At the other end, the visitors from sea level got a balanced scoring effort behind 50% shooting, with six players between seven and Reese Dixon-Waters’ 13 points.—
Noun
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Quick was hardly to blame for New York's eighth defeat in nine games, with mistakes by teammates in front of him putting the veteran goaltender in all sorts of difficult positions.—
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All the moves, all the choreography, all the positions.—
Noun
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There's so many different chapters that just close quietly, but still take such an emotional toll.—
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In the Louisiana lawsuit, government lawyers said three League of Women Voters chapters and Santa Clara County in California had not shown any proof that department attorneys would do anything other than robustly defend the Census Bureau.—
Noun
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That's not to mention the lower ranks where teams like James Madison or Tulane might find their way into the 12-team field, only to get obliterated in the playoff and lose their coaches and half their players to Power Five schools along the way.—
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On Tuesday, Cuba released their names, ranks and ages.—
Noun
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Part of what makes the novel riveting, even in its more eventless phases, is Knausgaard’s ability to inhabit the mind of such a person.—
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The system relies on intelligent current control combined with brief relaxation phases during charging.—
Noun
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Abughazaleh has risen to the upper echelons of fundraisers, in part due to a massive social media audience.—
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The most plausible entrant may be a late-season episode of Strictly Come Dancing, which could creep into the lower echelons of the top 10.—
Cite this Entry
“Degrees.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/degrees. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
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