sort 1 of 2

Definition of sortnext

sort

2 of 2

verb

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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
Welcome back, boys More than four months before their season opener, the Aggies scored a double-victory of sorts after twin brothers Rex and Porter Connors were granted another year of eligibility by the NCAA. Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 20 Apr. 2026 Mike McCarthy, a Pittsburgh native hired to replace Mike Tomlin in January, has a lengthy resume as quarterback whisperer of sorts. ABC News, 20 Apr. 2026
Verb
This might be cleaning out a set of drawers or sorting one or two types of toys. Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 19 Apr. 2026 Sorrell was skeptical of sorting jobs into categories of good versus bad, or noble versus corrupt. Emma Green, New Yorker, 17 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sort
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sort
Noun
  • The kind that organizations get judged on long after the applause fades.
    Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 18 Apr. 2026
  • Some fans may rush to hear that first-of-its-kind collaboration first when the album comes out May 29.
    Chris Willman, Variety, 17 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Schools across the Emirates were shuttered for weeks after the war began, shifting students to remote learning, prompting some parents, who CNBC has spoken with since the war began, to send children back to their home countries to complete the academic term at schools teaching in-person.
    Emma Graham,Sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 21 Apr. 2026
  • There was no immediate word on the identities of the perpetrator or the identify of the person who died.
    Foreign Correspondent, Los Angeles Times, 21 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Named in honor of NASA astronaut John Glenn, the first American to orbit Earth, New Glenn is a powerful two-stage rocket manufactured by Blue Origin classified as a heavy-lift launch vehicle.
    Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 17 Apr. 2026
  • The NightFlight Expedition and Mission Bermuda attractions are not classified as roller coasters by Roller Coaster Database.
    Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 17 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • That’s according to a reporter traveling with Vance.
    ABC News, ABC News, 12 Apr. 2026
  • Glover will become the first Black man to travel to deep space, Koch the first woman and Hansen the first non-American.
    Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • McMahon corresponded with his professors.
    Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
  • But some people familiar with the matter say an applications uptick does not necessarily correspond to a surge in high-caliber recruits that can offset the attrition the bureau has endured.
    Eric Tucker, Fortune, 19 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Any new head of operations should be able to pick his own coach instead of being forced to live with the owner’s guy.
    Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026
  • Lucy married a dream guy with a big ring and an even bigger new home.
    Peter White, Deadline, 21 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • He was nationally ranked, twice the national collegiate champion.
    John McPhee, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
  • Here are three stocks favored by some of Wall Street's top pros, according to TipRanks, a platform that ranks analysts based on their past performance.
    TipRanks.com Staff, CNBC, 19 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The prospect of empty seats would alarm the television networks and sponsors who have paid top dollar to be associated with the tournament.
    John Cassidy, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
  • Indeed, a recent Anthropic study found AI is already theoretically capable of performing a majority of the tasks associated with roles in engineering, law, business, finance, and management.
    Jake Angelo, Fortune, 19 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Sort.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/thesaurus/sort. Accessed 24 Apr. 2026.

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