1
as in ranks
the placement of someone or something in relation to others in a vertical arrangement
the greasy spoon restaurant was several rungs below the kind of establishment in which we usually dined
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in canes
Scottish
a heavy rigid stick used as a weapon or for punishment
the watchman usually carried a stout oak rung
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rungs
The finished crochet blankets are on display draped over the rungs of a wooden, antique ladder and are a popular item with customers.
—
Sarah Kyrcz, Hartford Courant, 27 Apr. 2026
Some options are considered a great catch, boasting superior benefits, while those high in mercury or contaminants may fall to lower rungs—or should be avoided altogether.
—Randi Gollin, Martha Stewart, 22 Apr. 2026
When there are fewer rungs on the ladder, there are fewer ways to climb—and fewer visible models of what advancement looks like.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 7 Apr. 2026
Wet rungs and soapy hands are a bad combination, so dry your grip frequently.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 30 Mar. 2026
Those rungs are numbered 0 to 10.
—Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 24 Mar. 2026
Coaching licenses typically operate in a tier system, with the bottom rungs allowing people to coach youth soccer.
—Doha Madani, NBC news, 19 Mar. 2026
Adenine, guanine, cytosine, and thymine are the four bases of the genetic code that make up the rungs of the double helix structure of DNA by forming specific pairs (adenine pairs with thymine, guanine with cytosine).
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 17 Mar. 2026
For Sid, however, this sudden access to higher social rungs is a unique and complicated opportunity.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 15 Mar. 2026
Sarah Kyrcz, Hartford Courant, 27 Apr. 2026
Some options are considered a great catch, boasting superior benefits, while those high in mercury or contaminants may fall to lower rungs—or should be avoided altogether.
—Randi Gollin, Martha Stewart, 22 Apr. 2026
When there are fewer rungs on the ladder, there are fewer ways to climb—and fewer visible models of what advancement looks like.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 7 Apr. 2026
Wet rungs and soapy hands are a bad combination, so dry your grip frequently.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 30 Mar. 2026
Those rungs are numbered 0 to 10.
—Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 24 Mar. 2026
Coaching licenses typically operate in a tier system, with the bottom rungs allowing people to coach youth soccer.
—Doha Madani, NBC news, 19 Mar. 2026
Adenine, guanine, cytosine, and thymine are the four bases of the genetic code that make up the rungs of the double helix structure of DNA by forming specific pairs (adenine pairs with thymine, guanine with cytosine).
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 17 Mar. 2026
For Sid, however, this sudden access to higher social rungs is a unique and complicated opportunity.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 15 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rungs
Noun
-
The split decision came after tense deliberations, with jurors initially sent back after one member broke ranks during polling, forcing further discussion before a final verdict was reached.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
27 Apr. 2026
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The effect of computers on the top ranks of the game has been different but no less profound.—
Louisa Thomas,
New Yorker,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
To rejuvenate these shrubs, cut three of the thickest canes all the way back to the ground in spring.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
25 Apr. 2026
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Video footage of disabled military veterans—some in wheelchairs, others leaning on canes—being zip-tied and dragged out of the Capitol Rotunda for staging a peaceful, anti-war protest.—
John Whitehead,
Oc Register,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In a study published in Cell in September 2025, researchers mapped the brain circuits that release growth hormone during sleep in real time, not just by measuring blood levels after the fact.—
Allison Palmer,
Miami Herald,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Instead, public universities, local governments and regional organizations like the Mekong River Commission have mainly focused on monitoring levels of heavy metals and educating communities about risks.—
Anton L. Delgado,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The Marsies who resist arrest are doing so without batons, skull-protecting helmets, and guns containing, technically, nonlethal rounds.—
Sophie Brookover,
Vulture,
24 Apr. 2026
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The hospital's public safety officers were trained to use pepper gel, batons, and handcuffs.—
Kristina Rex,
CBS News,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Such an agreement would require battling — and even dismantling — an entrenched and incompetent bureaucracy to speed up economic reforms, and getting rid of old-school historic commanders and everyone else in the government, the Communist Party and the top military echelons standing in the way.—
Nora Gámez Torres,
Miami Herald,
23 Apr. 2026
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From the upper echelons of global logistics to the cutting edge of industrial energy, this week’s business landscape is defined by transition and rapid scaling.—
Arthur Zaczkiewicz,
Footwear News,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Spitzer held positions at Miramax, The Weinstein Company and A+E, before moving into management, where shen spent over a decade at 3 Arts Entertainment representing actors, producers and filmmakers, while also developing film and TV projects.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
29 Apr. 2026
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Already in charge of the military’s moneymaking enterprises and married into the Castro family, López-Calleja became a member of the National Assembly in 2021, a prerequisite to higher government positions on the island, including the presidency.—
Patrick Oppmann,
CNN Money,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Creator and showrunner Katie Dippold’s fascination with such places began at an early age, growing up in New Jersey, where her family would take trips to the shore.—
Maira Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
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Sites that preserve soft-bodied organisms are even rarer because soft tissues decompose more easily, making these places especially useful for piecing together prehistoric ecosystems.—
Marlowe Starling,
Quanta Magazine,
1 May 2026
Noun
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Texas dominated many national rankings in the report as well, with the ZIP code encompassing the Dallas suburb of Crandall ranking second on the list and a more urban Dallas ZIP code ranking 10th.—
Faith Bugenhagen,
Austin American Statesman,
28 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rungs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rungs. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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