noun
a row or line of people (especially soldiers or police) standing abreast of one another
Examples
- the entrance was guarded by ranks of policemen
noun
relative status
Examples
- his salary was determined by his rank and seniority
noun
the ordinary members of an organization (such as the enlisted soldiers of an army)
Synonyms
rank and file
Examples
- the strike was supported by the union rank and file
- he rose from the ranks to become a colonel
noun
position in a social hierarchy
Synonyms
social station
social status
social rank
Examples
- the British are more aware of social status than Americans are
noun
the body of members of an organization or group
Synonyms
Examples
- they polled their membership
- they found dissension in their own ranks
- he joined the ranks of the unemployed
verb
take or have a position relative to others
Examples
- This painting ranks among the best in the Western World
verb
assign a rank or rating to
Synonyms
Examples
- how would you rank these students?
- The restaurant is rated highly in the food guide
verb
take precedence or surpass others in rank
Synonyms
adjective
very fertile
Examples
- producing profuse growth
- rank earth
adjective
very offensive in smell or taste
Examples
- a rank cigar
adjective
conspicuously and outrageously bad or reprehensible
Synonyms
Examples
- a crying shame
- an egregious lie
- flagrant violation of human rights
- a glaring error
- gross ineptitude
- gross injustice
- rank treachery
adjective
complete and without restriction or qualification
Synonyms
Examples
- sometimes used informally as intensifiers
- absolute freedom
- an absolute dimwit
- a downright lie
- out-and-out mayhem
- an out-and-out lie
- a rank outsider
- many right-down vices
- got the job through sheer persistence
- sheer stupidity
adjective
growing profusely
Examples
- rank jungle vegetation