RACK Synonyms: 178 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'rack' different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of rack are afflict , torment , torture , and try . While all these words mean "to inflict on a person something that is hard to bear," rack stresses straining or wrenching. // a body racked by pain

Q: When would 'afflict' be a good substitute for 'rack'?

Although the words afflict and rack have much in common, afflict is a general term and applies to the causing of pain or suffering or of acute annoyance, embarrassment, or any distress. // ills that afflict the elderly

Q: When is it sensible to use 'torment' instead of 'rack'?

The meanings of torment and rack largely overlap; however, torment suggests persecution or the repeated inflicting of suffering or annoyance. // a horse tormented by flies

Q: Where would 'torture' be a reasonable alternative to 'rack'?

The words torture and rack can be used in similar contexts, but torture adds the implication of causing unbearable pain or suffering. // tortured by a sense of guilt

Q: When is 'try' a more appropriate choice than 'rack'?

The words try and rack are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, try suggests imposing something that strains the powers of endurance or of self-control. // children often try their parents' patience

rack 1 of 2

noun

Definition of rack

as in bed

a place set aside for sleeping the clock struck midnight, signaling that it was time to hit the rack

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as in distress

a state of great suffering of body or mind suffering the rack of a sprained ankle, the climber had to make his way back down the mountain to camp felt the rack of regret after losing her temper with her teenagers

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

rack

2 of 2

verb

as in to plague

to cause persistent suffering to the young man was racked with guilt over the lie he had told to his parents the country has been racked by years of civil war

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to pull

to injure by overuse, misuse, or pressure she racked her brain trying to remember where she'd put the money the sails of the boat were racked by the storm's winds

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word rack different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of rack are afflict, torment, torture, and try. While all these words mean "to inflict on a person something that is hard to bear," rack stresses straining or wrenching.

a body racked by pain

When would afflict be a good substitute for rack?

Although the words afflict and rack have much in common, afflict is a general term and applies to the causing of pain or suffering or of acute annoyance, embarrassment, or any distress.

ills that afflict the elderly

When is it sensible to use torment instead of rack?

The meanings of torment and rack largely overlap; however, torment suggests persecution or the repeated inflicting of suffering or annoyance.

a horse tormented by flies

Where would torture be a reasonable alternative to rack?

The words torture and rack can be used in similar contexts, but torture adds the implication of causing unbearable pain or suffering.

tortured by a sense of guilt

When is try a more appropriate choice than rack?

The words try and rack are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, try suggests imposing something that strains the powers of endurance or of self-control.

children often try their parents' patience

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 rack

Noun

Toward the end of the freezing time, preheat the oven to 350°F with a rack in the center position. — ABC News, 8 Oct. 2026 Given that each Nvidia GB300 NVL72 enterprise rack contains 72 Blackwell chips and retails at roughly $3 million a pop, depending on configuration, that means Le Chonk cost roundabout $160 million in hardware—nevermind the electricity bill. — Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 7 Oct. 2026

Verb

The spectacular rack-o-rib volcano is available to all fans at the Molly B’s concession stand just inside Gate 2 of the stadium. — Henri Hollis, AJC.com, 16 Sep. 2026 The immature boy-king Richard II (Woody Norman) is racked with nightmares and unable to govern. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rack

Recent Examples of Synonyms for rack

Noun

Indah teaches her how to run the house and even what to do in the marital bed, and Gadis looks after Firman, the one person who takes her ghost stories seriously.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026
Through a pair of large wood doors is the bedroom, with another oversize window and more than enough space for a king-size bed, your very own reading nook, and two walk-in closets.

— Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of bed

Noun

The vast majority expressed deep distress and anger at their government after the massacres that took place in response to January’s mass protests.

— Narges Bajoghli, Foreign Affairs, 9 Oct. 2026
While ChatGPT isn’t a substitute for professional mental health care, our safeguards are designed to identify distress, safely handle harmful requests, and guide users to real-world help.

— Laura Reiley, Vanity Fair, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of distress

Verb

As people suffer the effects of disease, the vampire rises to plague our nightmares.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 7 Oct. 2026
Based on its survey work, Morgan Stanley believes the issues that plagued the second quarter was macro related and not something structurally tied to the TJX brand.

— Jeff Marks, CNBC, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of plague

Verb

Including company inventories, Saudi Aramco CEO Amin Nasser estimated this week that more than 1 billion barrels have been pulled from stockpiles worldwide.

— Heather Occhino, Fortune, 12 Oct. 2026
So strong was the Chicks’ commercial pull that their 2002 album Home—a trend-averse acoustic bluegrass album essentially recorded in secret—became a gargantuan hit, with two of its songs reaching the Top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100.

— Shaad D’Souza, Pitchfork, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of pull

Noun

The design is stylish, with gray tones and pops of red and blue on couches and suzani throw pillows.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Oct. 2026
Tons of toys are on sale too, from popular fish toys your feline will love tossing around to the classic cat scratcher that can help prevent them from sinking their claws into the couch.

— ABC News, ABC News, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of couch

Noun

Like an Arthur Jafa montage, clips of joy and pain flash seamlessly in succession.

— Kiana Mickles, Pitchfork, 13 Oct. 2026
Penix was hopeful to return and play in overtime, but during the Ravens' opening possession of the extra session, Penix said the pain was getting worse and worse as his body cooled down.

— ABC News, ABC News, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of pain

Verb

Those governments provide assurances that people won’t be persecuted or tortured, federal attorneys said.

— Lindsay Whitehurst, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2026
Also, some immigration cases involve people seeking asylum because they are being persecuted by a foreign government and releasing a person’s full name could be considered sensitive or even dangerous.

— Laura Tillman, Hartford Courant, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of persecute

Noun

Kramnic was unable to climb on to the top bunk without injuring his knees and back.

— Theresa Clift, Sacbee.com, 25 Sep. 2026
Although my room had six bunks, my only roommate was a quiet man from Switzerland who was also traveling from LA to San Francisco, but by bike.

— David G. Allan, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of bunk

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Style

“Rack.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rack. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of rack

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verb

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