order 1 of 2

noun

Definition of ordernext
1
as in sequence
the way objects in space or events in time are arranged or follow one another you always keep your books in perfect alphabetical order we haven't found out the order of the speeches yet

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in organization
a group of persons formally joined together for some common interest a religious order

Synonyms & Similar Words
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
as in shape
a state of being or fitness finally got the car back in working order

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in instruction
a statement of what to do that must be obeyed by those concerned the commander issued an order that the number of guards for the prisoner be doubled

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
as in category
one of the units into which a whole is divided on the basis of a common characteristic regards draftees as an entirely different order of soldier and less desirable than volunteers

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order

2 of 2

verb

ˈȯr-dər How to pronounce order (audio)
1
as in to arrange
to put into a particular arrangement I've ordered all of my CDs according to type of music he likes to order his life so that there are few surprises

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
as in to instruct
to issue orders to (someone) by right of authority the police officer ordered the crowd to back away from the suspect

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
Her decision to turn down the Apple beat at the Journal in 2007, the year the iPhone was released, in order to pursue an M.F.A. in fiction propels an exploration of how much human creativity depends on the ideas and labor of others. —Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2025 The Justice Department asked the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit to halt that order, and while its request was pending, asked the Supreme Court to intervene. —Jacob Rosen, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2025
Verb
Trump last week ordered a minimum 10% tax on nearly everything the U.S. buys from other countries. —Terry Gross, NPR, 9 Apr. 2025 The judge also ordered them to stay out of D.C. and museums nationwide, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said. —Michael Loria, USA Today, 9 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for order
Recent Examples of Synonyms for order
  1. sequence
  2. organization
  3. medal
  4. shape
  5. instruction
  6. class
  7. arrange
  8. request
Noun
  • In just one transporting sequence that’s almost too much to take in, Coogler traces a line from the blues of the 1930s back to its origins and forward to its influences on funk and beyond.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2025
  • This detonation will spew material at the other white dwarf, triggering the same devastating sequence.
    — Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of sequence
Noun
  • In addition to his résumé as an actor, Barty was an advocate for others with dwarfism and founded the Little People of America organization and the Billy Barty Foundation.
    — Alexandra Schonfeld, People.com, 5 Apr. 2025
  • By embracing these approaches, leaders can strengthen their organization's commitment to DEI, turning potential challenges into opportunities for growth and innovation.
    — Jason Wingard, Forbes.com, 5 Apr. 2025
Definition of organization
Noun
  • Lane also noted that Spencer was supposed to be on the ice Wednesday night as a medal presenter.
    — Steve Buckley, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025
  • The very best can cement themselves as medal favorites for the 2026 Milan Cortina Games.
    — Nick Zaccardi, NBC news, 25 Mar. 2025
Definition of medal
Noun
  • For now, the economy remains in solid shape by several key measures.
    — Max Zahn, ABC News, 11 Apr. 2025
  • Its rectangular shape evokes a vintage cigarette pouch, and every detail harks back to the fashion house’s extensive, industry-defining legacy.
    — Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of shape
Noun
  • Through the years, North talked about his experiences as a child actor, saying producers were most interested in obtaining a performance out of him while his schooling was neglected, despite California laws requiring three hours of instruction a day for child actors.
    — Stacy Perman, Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2025
  • Next, Henrique simply told Copilot to organize the notes—no need for specific instructions.
    — Michael Muchmore, PC Magazine, 6 Apr. 2025
Definition of instruction
Noun
  • The demo began with a hypothetical student, Henrique, trying to organize notes for a history class.
    — Michael Muchmore, PC Magazine, 6 Apr. 2025
  • Now Avery's days are marked by surgeries, medical appointments, sixth-grade classes, basketball games and questions about her future.
    — Laura A. Bischoff, USA Today, 6 Apr. 2025
Definition of class
Verb
  • Oz: On [Richard’s] birthday, Laura arranged for maybe a dozen Civil War reenactors to come galloping onto the set.
    — Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 9 Apr. 2025
  • But the human author was a sort of conductor: prompting, arranging, intervening.
    — Anna Wiener, New Yorker, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of arrange
Verb
  • After requesting and being granted his release from the Professional Fighters League, Pitbull signed with the UFC and has landed a major fight on one of the year’s biggest cards.
    — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Her father even requested a family meeting to talk things through.
    — John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Apr. 2025
Definition of request

Phrases Containing order

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ordeals
order
ordered
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Cite this Entry

“Order.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/order. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on order

Nglish: Translation of order for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about order

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