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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to request
to give a request or demand for the players ordered hamburgers for lunch

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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

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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
The journalists regained access to the White House complex and had their press credentials returned nearly 12 hours after Kelly issued his order. — Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026 Even a few responses from organizations that broadly agree with tighter CFTC rules, including a letter from trading firm Susquehanna International Group, suggest order-book subordination is too onerous. — Dan Bernstein, Sportico.com, 8 Oct. 2026
Verb
As part of its corporate merger review, Virginia’s State Corporation Commission ordered NextEra, Florida Power & Light’s parent company, last week to produce documents related to its political operations in Florida. — Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 9 Oct. 2026 DeSantis ordered evacuations for Bay, Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Walton, Franklin and Gulf counties. — ABC News, 9 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for order
Recent Examples of Synonyms for order
  1. sequence
  2. organization
  3. kind
  4. medal
  5. shape
  6. instruction
  7. class
  8. category
Noun
  • The shoot couldn’t run in sequence and was organized by location instead, so Patil tracked her own makeup, hair, body and voice continuity across Selvi’s decline, leaning on continuity photos and long rehearsals with the ensemble.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026
  • And, of course, action abounds, culminating in an elaborate climactic battle sequence in which Alexandra’s coyote forces are commanded by the rabidly loyal Maksim, memorably voiced by Tom Waits.
    — Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of sequence
Noun
  • One of the largest donors to a pop-up super PAC supporting Muslim or pro-Palestinian candidates is the president of an Islamic organization that collects obligatory religious donations mandated by Sharia law.
    — Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The Union of Palestinian Women's Committees and Addameer Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association were both among the groups targeted, officials with the organizations said.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of organization
Noun
  • The tie-in between the world’s largest beauty company and reigning two-time UEFA Champions League winner will last through 2028, and is the first of its kind for L’Oréal.
    — Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2026
  • In groundbreaking litigation, Munkittrick is leading the charge for Warner Music Group in a first-of-its-kind case arguing that the major labels’ licensing of sound recordings for generative AI training violates the Sound Recording Labor Agreement.
    — Claudia Rosenbaum, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of kind
Noun
  • The California Interscholastic Federation, which oversees high school athletics, also revised its rules to ensure that transgender athletes in individual sports do not displace cisgender ones from rankings or medal podiums.
    — Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2026
  • However, the medals, photographs and awards hung in the hall tell an extraordinary story of a life spent never far from danger in the mountains.
    — Helen Regan, CNN Money, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of medal
Noun
  • Propagating the Chair To understand the geometric intuition behind the Chair44 shape, Tsiokos says, imagine a large cube composed of eight tiny cubes that are joined together.
    — Rachel Crowell, Scientific American, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Chez Fonfon sits at the crux of Five Points South, a neighborhood named for five streets that converge in a star shape where streetcars connecting the then suburb of Highland to the city once rumbled.
    — Leslie Pariseau, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of shape
Noun
  • Those conversations range from lunches and athletics to classroom instruction and college opportunities, and several student recommendations have already led to changes this year.
    — Lina Ruiz October 9, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Oct. 2026
  • The company’s security controls technically worked, as the agent faithfully carried out the fraudster’s instructions.
    — Caryn Seidman Becker, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of instruction
Noun
  • As part of orchestrating this project, Simon was also involved in securing visas for the various international performers, encountering in the process the uneven access to travel for cultural workers across classes, nationalities, and milieus.
    — Stephanie Wambugu, Vulture, 12 Oct. 2026
  • The production took its time finding homes that felt lived in and signaled the class of the families inside them.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of class
Noun
  • The role brought him an Indian National Film Award for best supporting actor and the Filmfare award in the same category.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Some 42% purchased in at least two collectible categories beyond fine and decorative art, close to baby boomers at 39%.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of category

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 14 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on order

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about order

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