1
as in qualities
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 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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
2
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Recent Examples of rates
Zack Meisel, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
And policymakers around the world look likely to hold rates.
—Gabrielle Ng, Bloomberg, 27 Apr. 2026
Recovery rates climbed above 75 percent for several metals with slightly longer treatment times.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 27 Apr. 2026
Black residents in Baltimore are still much less likely to own a home than white residents, despite years of efforts by the city and the private sector to correct racial inequities in homeownership rates.
—Lily Carey, Baltimore Sun, 27 Apr. 2026
Traders are betting that the Federal Reserve, European Central Bank, Bank of Japan, and Bank of England will all maintain rates at current levels.
—Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 27 Apr. 2026
Lower rates, on the other hand, will have more buyers ready to make moves.
—Becca Stanek, TheWeek, 27 Apr. 2026
Jordan Del Palacio, loan partner at Churchill Mortgage, says rates could hold or climb in May, given the current rate environment.
—Tim Maxwell, CBS News, 27 Apr. 2026
Housing prices will stay high too, as mortgage rates stay elevated compared to 2021 levels.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 24 Dec. 2024
Brooke Migdon, PEOPLE, 29 Apr. 2026
Tucci rates her mastery of the language very highly.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026
The Cook Partisan Voting Index rates the district at a +3 for Democratic candidates, which means in recent presidential elections, Democrats have held a narrow 3-point edge.
—Esme Murphy, CBS News, 26 Apr. 2026
Lastly, Jefferies rates Navios Maritime Partners a buy with a $85 price target.
—Davis Giangiulio, CNBC, 24 Apr. 2026
Medicare rates City Creek’s current staffing levels as average.
—Jordan Rau, Miami Herald, 23 Apr. 2026
That’s according to The World’s 100 Best Coffee Shops, a website that rates global hospitality establishments where coffee lovers can find better brew.
—Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 20 Apr. 2026
Medicare rates City Creek's current staffing levels as average.
—Jordan Rau, NPR, 19 Apr. 2026
The nonpartisan election handicapper Cook Political Report rates the 2026 Michigan Senate race as one of just four toss-ups among the 35 upper-chamber seats up for grabs in November.
—Julia Mueller, The Hill, 16 Apr. 2026
Noun
The Red Sox have issued eight fewer challenges than any other team, but Alex Cora, who was fired on Saturday, said before his firing that he wasn’t bothered by the low rates.
—Zack Meisel, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
And policymakers around the world look likely to hold rates.
—Gabrielle Ng, Bloomberg, 27 Apr. 2026
Recovery rates climbed above 75 percent for several metals with slightly longer treatment times.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 27 Apr. 2026
Black residents in Baltimore are still much less likely to own a home than white residents, despite years of efforts by the city and the private sector to correct racial inequities in homeownership rates.
—Lily Carey, Baltimore Sun, 27 Apr. 2026
Traders are betting that the Federal Reserve, European Central Bank, Bank of Japan, and Bank of England will all maintain rates at current levels.
—Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 27 Apr. 2026
Lower rates, on the other hand, will have more buyers ready to make moves.
—Becca Stanek, TheWeek, 27 Apr. 2026
Jordan Del Palacio, loan partner at Churchill Mortgage, says rates could hold or climb in May, given the current rate environment.
—Tim Maxwell, CBS News, 27 Apr. 2026
Housing prices will stay high too, as mortgage rates stay elevated compared to 2021 levels.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 24 Dec. 2024
Verb
The nonpartisan Cook Political Report rates the race, one of the highest stakes of the 2026 midterms, as a toss-up.
—Brooke Migdon, PEOPLE, 29 Apr. 2026
Tucci rates her mastery of the language very highly.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026
The Cook Partisan Voting Index rates the district at a +3 for Democratic candidates, which means in recent presidential elections, Democrats have held a narrow 3-point edge.
—Esme Murphy, CBS News, 26 Apr. 2026
Lastly, Jefferies rates Navios Maritime Partners a buy with a $85 price target.
—Davis Giangiulio, CNBC, 24 Apr. 2026
Medicare rates City Creek’s current staffing levels as average.
—Jordan Rau, Miami Herald, 23 Apr. 2026
That’s according to The World’s 100 Best Coffee Shops, a website that rates global hospitality establishments where coffee lovers can find better brew.
—Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 20 Apr. 2026
Medicare rates City Creek's current staffing levels as average.
—Jordan Rau, NPR, 19 Apr. 2026
The nonpartisan election handicapper Cook Political Report rates the 2026 Michigan Senate race as one of just four toss-ups among the 35 upper-chamber seats up for grabs in November.
—Julia Mueller, The Hill, 16 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rates
Noun
-
Plus, basil's aromatic qualities can improve the flavor of lettuce.—
Michelle Mastro,
Martha Stewart,
30 Apr. 2026
-
These guys have leadership qualities.—
Colton Pouncy,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
But remember that balance is key—both in terms of structure-to-greenery ratios, and the overall size of statement features compared to the rest of your outdoor area.—
Nishaa Sharma,
The Spruce,
24 Apr. 2026
-
This created a Digital Detox Review Score, calculated using positive-to-negative keyword ratios.—
Lydia Mansel,
Travel + Leisure,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Some models feature replaceable blades, like the Milk Street Kitchen Precision peeler, which retails for $30, but by peeler standards that’s high.—
Jennifer Zyman,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Accessibility The hotel is fully compliant with ADA standards, and has five accessible Deluxe rooms designed to accommodate guests with limited mobility and disabilities.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rates. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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