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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
According to the company’s internal CSAT reporting, more than 97% of respondents rate PCA positively, distinctive within the financial services space. Kaitlyn Gomez, USA Today, 15 Jan. 2026 In that game, the 49ers running backs ran 10 times for 32 yards with a rushing success rate of 10 percent and a long of 6 yards. Ted Nguyen, New York Times, 15 Jan. 2026
Verb
The Texans rate near the top here over the past month, while New England rates 28th. Kc Joyner, New York Times, 14 Jan. 2026 Ma rates the stock outperform, noting that while there are concerns around Costco’s ability to sustain its membership fee income growth, the wholesaler has other levers at its disposal. Darla Mercado, Cfp®, CNBC, 14 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rate
Noun
  • The fabric is soft to the touch and of good quality.
    Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 13 Jan. 2026
  • From high-fashion runways to interior decor showrooms, the minimalism trend touched every corner of the design world, with creatives finding new ways to cut off the excess and focus on shape, quality, and bare-bones beauty.
    Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 13 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • That gives the car a one-to-one power-to-weight ratio, a figure usually reserved for modern hypercars.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 8 Jan. 2026
  • This approach generally improves your debt-to-income ratio and simplifies your financial obligations without the public record that bankruptcy creates.
    Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Rate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rate. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on rate

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