order 1 of 2

1
2
3
as in type
a number of persons or things that are grouped together because they have something in common collects movie posters, photographs and autographs of the stars, and other memorabilia of that order

Synonyms & Similar Words

4
as in medal
a piece of metal given in honor of a special event, a person, or an achievement a book with full-color illustrations of British orders and decorations

Synonyms & Similar Words

5
6
7
as in class
one of the segments of society into which people are grouped the lower orders were once expected to be content living out their lives as servants to the upper classes

Synonyms & Similar Words

8

order

2 of 2

verb

1
2
as in to request
to give a request or demand for the players ordered hamburgers for lunch

Synonyms & Similar Words

3
as in to ask
to request the doing of by virtue of one's authority the teacher ordered that everyone sit down immediately and be quiet

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

4

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb order contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of order are arrange, marshal, methodize, organize, and systematize. While all these words mean "to put persons or things into their proper places in relation to each other," order suggests a straightening out so as to eliminate confusion.

ordered her business affairs

Where would arrange be a reasonable alternative to order?

The words arrange and order are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, arrange implies a setting in sequence, relationship, or adjustment.

arranged the files numerically

When can marshal be used instead of order?

The meanings of marshal and order largely overlap; however, marshal suggests gathering and arranging in preparation for a particular operation or effective use.

marshaling the facts for argument

When would methodize be a good substitute for order?

While in some cases nearly identical to order, methodize suggests imposing an orderly procedure rather than a fixed scheme.

methodizes every aspect of daily living

When might organize be a better fit than order?

In some situations, the words organize and order are roughly equivalent. However, organize implies arranging so that the whole aggregate works as a unit with each element having a proper function.

organized the volunteers into teams

In what contexts can systematize take the place of order?

The synonyms systematize and order are sometimes interchangeable, but systematize implies arranging according to a predetermined scheme.

systematized billing procedures

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 order
Noun
Some offer to send cease and desist orders which sound good but are totally unenforceable. Steve Weisman, Forbes.com, 5 July 2025 Evacuation orders and warnings were issued for tiny communities near State Route 166 as flames moved through hilly terrain toward the Carrizo Plain National Monument, about 45 miles east of Santa Maria. arkansasonline.com, 5 July 2025
Verb
Serving breakfast, an all-day menu, and dinner, everything can also be ordered directly to your room or enjoyed in the communal terrace dining space. Susmita Baral, Travel + Leisure, 14 July 2025 In June, Trump ordered Attorney General Pam Bondi to investigate whether the Biden administration sought to conspire to cover up his mental state while in office, and to look through Biden's use of the autopen. Oren Oppenheim, ABC News, 14 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for order
Recent Examples of Synonyms for order
Noun
  • The system uses small chunks of overlapping frames to condition what comes next, allowing continuity of motion, character, and action throughout the sequence.
    Charlie Fink, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025
  • In the more passionate scenes between Superman and Lois Lane, played by David Corenswet and Rachel Brosnahan, the sequences abruptly jump to another in the aftermath of the couple’s embrace.
    Karu F. Daniels, New York Daily News, 14 July 2025
Noun
  • Pfister was also a legacy member of the Greater Phoenix Leadership Inc., an organization of influential Arizona leaders.
    Shawn Raymundo, AZCentral.com, 23 July 2025
  • In this poll, like earlier ones from other organizations, young people and Democrats had more favorable views of socialism and less favorable views of capitalism.
    Karlyn Bowman, Forbes.com, 22 July 2025
Noun
  • The team is led by 23-year-old Sika Koné, who brings valuable WNBA and World Cup experience to a squad eager to add to Mali’s impressive collection of eight AfroBasket medals.
    Sindiswa Mabunda, Forbes.com, 26 July 2025
  • Additionally, more than two dozen Republican states and Guam are urging the National Collegiate Athletic Association to re-award medals and accolades to female college athletes who felt cheated when playing with biological males.
    David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 25 July 2025
Noun
  • Anderson, specifically, took the bob one step further, adding micro bangs to round out the shape.
    Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 15 July 2025
  • In addition to the new sound, the shape of the 6 N is obviously quite a bit different than that of the SUV-silhouette of the Ioniq 5.
    Tim Stevens, ArsTechnica, 14 July 2025
Noun
  • Opt-in systems are most effective when paired with instruction about disasters and how to respond to warnings, Sellnow said, making education a crucial responsibility of local governments.
    Bayliss Wagner, Austin American Statesman, 25 July 2025
  • Proponents of cursive instruction point to studies that indicate cursive instruction can help students improve memory and information retention, versus taking notes on a computer.
    Arpan Lobo, Freep.com, 24 July 2025
Noun
  • And a range of kids, from high schoolers in Advanced Placement science classes to Girl Scout troops, have participated.
    Madeline Heim, jsonline.com, 24 July 2025
  • Working as a carpenter requires hands-on experience, although classes in woodworking and apprenticeships can help with developing carpentry skills.
    Sarah Bregel, Parents, 23 July 2025
Verb
  • Horowitz spent decades arranging for Sondheim’s archives to come to the Library of Congress.
    Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 13 July 2025
  • The controversy comes at a time the United States is trying to arrange a ceasefire in Gaza between Israel and Hamas.
    Amira El-Fekki‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 July 2025
Verb
  • Law enforcement determined the child is not a runaway, and a custody dispute is not the sole reason for requesting an activation.
    Wren Smetana, AZCentral.com, 25 July 2025
  • The fee applies to Form I-131, used to request travel documents such as advance parole, and Form I-765, the application for employment authorization.
    Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 July 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Order.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/order. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on order

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!