range 1 of 2

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as in pasture
open land over which livestock may roam and feed knew exactly how many head of cattle were turned out on the range that morning to graze

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
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as in spectrum
the distance or extent between possible extremes an actor who can go through the full range of emotion, from joy to sorrow, in mere minutes

Synonyms & Similar Words

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5
as in line
a series of persons or things arranged one behind another from the air, the mountain range stretched as far as we could see in both directions

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6
as in stove
an appliance that prepares food for consumption by heating it the high-end appliances include a professional-quality gas range

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7
as in habitat
the place where a plant or animal is usually or naturally found the American robin's winter range has steadily extended farther and farther north

Synonyms & Similar Words

range

2 of 2

verb

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as in to vary
to occur within a continuous range of variation the color of Florida grapefruit can range anywhere from pale pink to ruby red

Synonyms & Similar Words

4

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun range differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of range are compass, gamut, orbit, scope, and sweep. While all these words mean "the extent that lies within the powers of something (as to cover or control)," range is a general term indicating the extent of one's perception or the extent of powers, capacities, or possibilities.

the entire range of human experience

When might compass be a better fit than range?

Although the words compass and range have much in common, compass implies a sometimes limited extent of perception, knowledge, or activity.

your concerns lie beyond the narrow compass of this study

When could gamut be used to replace range?

While the synonyms gamut and range are close in meaning, gamut suggests a graduated series running from one possible extreme to another.

a performance that ran the gamut of emotions

Where would orbit be a reasonable alternative to range?

The meanings of orbit and range largely overlap; however, orbit suggests an often circumscribed range of activity or influence within which forces work toward accommodation.

within that restricted orbit they tried to effect social change

When is scope a more appropriate choice than range?

While in some cases nearly identical to range, scope is applicable to an area of activity, predetermined and limited, but somewhat flexible.

as time went on, the scope of the investigation widened

When is it sensible to use sweep instead of range?

The synonyms sweep and range are sometimes interchangeable, but sweep suggests extent, often circular or arc-shaped, of motion or activity.

the book covers the entire sweep of criminal activity

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 range
Noun
For those who want to mix it up, the style is also available in a range of other options, including gray, tweed, raffia, and various color and pattern combinations. Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 26 July 2025 The money, which was used to found a range of initiatives including teacher training and English language programs, was suspended by the Trump administration on June 30 pending a review by the federal Office of Management and Budget. James Bickerton, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 July 2025
Verb
Tropical storm wind gusts range from 39 to 73 mph, which is what the area will experience Sunday. Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 13 July 2025 The sizes range from small bedrooms with marble finishes to a suite overlooking the pool, filled with handmade tapestries, a freestanding marble bath, and a separate living area with a velvet sofa. Michaela Trimble, Vogue, 13 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for range
Recent Examples of Synonyms for range
Noun
  • Photo : Jeremy Swanson Photography Last Chance Ranch features three pastures.
    Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 14 July 2025
  • The pigs are raised in open pastures and in woodland environments.
    Arianna Albano, Charlotte Observer, 11 July 2025
Noun
  • Kentucky's incentives are not unusual in their scope compared to other states and are attractive to the industry, experts said, with the potential to shave millions of dollars off the cost of data center development.
    Connor Giffin, The Courier-Journal, 30 July 2025
  • Benjamin Heber Johnson: Honestly, writing a history of this scope is a huge challenge.
    Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
Noun
  • The people involved ran the spectrum from hunter-gatherers and farming populations with low obesity rates, to people in more sedentary jobs in places like Europe and the U.S., where obesity is widespread.
    Maria Godoy, NPR, 24 July 2025
  • The Outdated Dichotomy Of Progress For decades, industries have operated under the assumption that environmental responsibility and economic viability exist on opposite ends of a spectrum.
    Vincent Ledoux Pedailles, Forbes.com, 24 July 2025
Noun
  • The goal of this relationship is to save you time, trouble, and money down the line.
    Brady Slack, Forbes, 10 Feb. 2023
  • In the meantime, the operator said it’s making progress on its remediation plan, including analysis of other areas and additional in-line inspections.
    Joe Sutton, CNN, 10 Feb. 2023
Noun
  • The exterior has been repainted using original colors sourced from historic railway drawings, while the interior features period wallpaper, a bed and a stove.
    Reem Amro, FOXNews.com, 19 July 2025
  • To reheat, add a few tablespoons of water and warm it on the stove, covered, stirring here and there.
    Alex Beggs, Bon Appetit Magazine, 19 July 2025
Noun
  • Instead of expanses of coral there were small mounds; the wreck of the ship provided the largest habitat.
    Ariel Saramandi, The Dial, 29 July 2025
  • The mangrove forests of the Sundarbans, which stretch over parts of India and Bangladesh, are considered the last remaining habitat for the endangered tiger in Bangladesh, while neighboring countries also have some viable habitats.
    Amber X. Chen, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 July 2025
Verb
  • More than 71% of the students are emergent bilingual and 17% are classified as immigrants, according to TEA data.
    Keri Heath, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
  • This year, Jim Bowden classifies 14 clubs as buyers, eight as sellers and eight as on the fence.
    Alex Kirshner, New York Times, 30 July 2025
Verb
  • The Rhône spills into the wild Camargue delta, where white horses gallop through salt marshes, flamingos strike poses in pink lagoons, and black bulls roam freely beneath the vast Provençal sky.
    Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 24 July 2025
  • Historically, the species roamed throughout much of the Southwest through central Mexico before being nearly eradicated from the wild by the 1970s, largely due to conflicts with the livestock industry.
    Shelby Slade, AZCentral.com, 24 July 2025

Cite this Entry

“Range.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/range. Accessed 4 Aug. 2025.

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