sort 1 of 2

noun

ˈsȯrt How to pronounce sort (audio)
Definition of sortnext
1
as in kind
a number of persons or things that are grouped together because they have something in common I prefer jackets with zippers to the sort that close with buttons

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in person
a member of the human race he's a decent sort

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

sort

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to classify
to arrange or assign according to type sorted the mail into bills to be paid and junk to be thrown out

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to travel
to come or be together as friends you should be careful about whom you sort with

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to correspond
to be in agreement on every point that doesn't sort with what you said the last time

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word sort distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of sort are character, description, kind, nature, and type. While all these words mean "a number of individuals thought of as a group because of a common quality or qualities," sort often suggests some disparagement.

the sort of newspaper dealing in sensational stories

In what contexts can character take the place of sort?

While the synonyms character and sort are close in meaning, character implies a group marked by distinctive likenesses peculiar to the type.

research on the subject so far has been of an elementary character

When is it sensible to use description instead of sort?

The words description and sort can be used in similar contexts, but description implies a group marked by agreement in all details belonging to a type as described or defined.

not all acts of that description are actually illegal

When might kind be a better fit than sort?

The synonyms kind and sort are sometimes interchangeable, but kind may suggest natural grouping.

a zoo seemingly having animals of every kind

When could nature be used to replace sort?

While in some cases nearly identical to sort, nature may imply inherent, essential resemblance rather than obvious or superficial likenesses.

two problems of a similar nature

When is type a more appropriate choice than sort?

In some situations, the words type and sort are roughly equivalent. However, type may suggest strong and clearly marked similarity throughout the items included so that each is typical of the group.

one of three basic body types

How is the word sort distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of sort are character, description, kind, nature, and type. While all these words mean "a number of individuals thought of as a group because of a common quality or qualities," sort often suggests some disparagement.

the sort of newspaper dealing in sensational stories

In what contexts can character take the place of sort?

While the synonyms character and sort are close in meaning, character implies a group marked by distinctive likenesses peculiar to the type.

research on the subject so far has been of an elementary character

When is it sensible to use description instead of sort?

The words description and sort can be used in similar contexts, but description implies a group marked by agreement in all details belonging to a type as described or defined.

not all acts of that description are actually illegal

When might kind be a better fit than sort?

The synonyms kind and sort are sometimes interchangeable, but kind may suggest natural grouping.

a zoo seemingly having animals of every kind

When could nature be used to replace sort?

While in some cases nearly identical to sort, nature may imply inherent, essential resemblance rather than obvious or superficial likenesses.

two problems of a similar nature

When is type a more appropriate choice than sort?

In some situations, the words type and sort are roughly equivalent. However, type may suggest strong and clearly marked similarity throughout the items included so that each is typical of the group.

one of three basic body types

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 sort
Noun
Could that include a one-off live event of some sort? —Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 30 Mar. 2026 Acosta’s bright shapes could be seen as apparitions of a sort. —Ray Mark Rinaldi, Denver Post, 30 Mar. 2026
Verb
Readers may resent being abstracted into algebra, but they are nonetheless invited to sort themselves into one of four categories on the basis of a short quiz. —Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026 Robots gain dexterity Robotic manipulation has advanced rapidly with Vision-Language-Action (VLA) models, enabling machines to handle everyday tasks like sorting laundry or picking up objects. —Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 30 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sort
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sort
  1. kind
  2. person
  3. classify
  4. travel
  5. correspond
  6. guy
  7. rank
  8. associate
Noun
  • Daisie, 14, full of laughter and positive energy, is a one-of-a-kind personality.
    — The Star April 4, Kansas City Star, 4 Apr. 2026
  • The district is the first of its kind in the country, home to the densest enclave of Arab Americans in Orange County and more than 100 Arab and Middle East/North African businesses.
    — Victoria Le, Oc Register, 4 Apr. 2026
Definition of kind
Noun
  • According to a source in the room, there were about 250 members of the donor community at the event, which cost at least $100,000 per person to attend.
    — Gabe Kaminsky, CBS News, 31 Mar. 2026
  • Assault with a dangerous weapon on a person 60 or older.
    — Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 31 Mar. 2026
Definition of person
Verb
  • The fire is classified as accidental.
    — Pioneer Press, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
  • By classifying sports betting as a public health issue and imposing rigid federal standards, the proposal also significantly limits the autonomy of the states, which have been primarily responsible for the legalization and regulation of this sector since 2018.
    — Cláudia Nunes, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2026
Definition of classify
Verb
  • Under-4s are also welcome to use the Kids Only facilities with adult supervision, and all kinds of baby products and equipment are provided so parents can travel light.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Apr. 2026
  • Police said it was believed the driver initiated the right turn and hit the bicyclist, a 69-year-old man from Joliet, believed to have been traveling eastbound on the sidewalk on the south side of West Jefferson Street and had entered the roadway to cross Springfield Avenue.
    — Jeramie Bizzle, CBS News, 5 Apr. 2026
Definition of travel
Verb
  • In her experience, 15% often corresponds to about 33 pounds (15 kilograms).
    — Nicole Hernandez, USA Today, 30 Mar. 2026
  • Each pitch outcome has corresponding odds and users have a limited timeframe to choose whether to wager.
    — Dan Bernstein, Sportico.com, 30 Mar. 2026
Definition of correspond
Noun
  • And to have a guy like him who understands what the competition looks like on the floor, but is still here to kind of enhance the environment, help celebrate his teammates, give his teammates wisdom.
    — Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 1 Apr. 2026
  • Those guys are all older than me, [Richard] Linklater and [Robert] Rodriguez and all of those guys.
    — Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Apr. 2026
Definition of guy
Verb
  • With a diverse mix of coffee shops, bars and places to eat, the Brookhill neighborhood near South End was ranked the best place to live in the Charlotte region, according to Niche, a neighborhood grading site.
    — Chase Jordan March 30, Charlotte Observer, 30 Mar. 2026
  • That defense entered the second week of March ranked fourth in the league but remained on a milk carton Sunday.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 30 Mar. 2026
Definition of rank
Verb
  • This distinction was missing both from popular discourse, the academics felt, and from an influential definition of antisemitism associated with the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, which lists numerous examples of antisemitism related to criticism of Israel.
    — Eyal Press, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
  • Berseth did not respond to a phone message or to an email or letter sent to addresses apparently associated with her.
    — David Hilzenrath, USA Today, 29 Mar. 2026
Definition of associate

Phrases Containing sort

Browse Nearby Words

sorry
sort
sorted
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Cite this Entry

“Sort.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sort. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of sort for Spanish Speakers

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