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 next

as in bed

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

With the two-point moneyball rack saved until the final corner, the Oklahoma alum needed to make all of his shots. —

Joseph Dycus, The Mercury News, 15 Feb. 2025 At Vintage Frills, unorganized shelves, racks bursting with thousands of random pieces, and having to browse through mountains of fast fashion clothes bought last year—that, naturally, someone threw away when trends changed—are a thing of the past. —

Grace Butler, USA TODAY, 14 Feb. 2025

Verb

During subsequent decades, the Soviets and its pliant regime were defeated, the country was racked by civil war, and various Islamist groups became ascendant, including the Mujahedin, Taliban, al-Qaeda, and Isis-Khorasan. —

Letters To The Editor, Orlando Sentinel, 11 Jan. 2025 Materials Needed: Sponge, Water, Microwaveable bowl, Microwave, Drying rack Step 1: Rinse out any obvious debris from the sponge and saturate it with water. —

Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 25 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for rack

Recent Examples of Synonyms for rack

Noun

The celebration ended in a karaoke bar, followed by a cup of tea and chicken nuggets in bed for the newlyweds.

— Justin Gest, Newsweek, 11 Feb. 2025
In Conclave, Fiennes herds the cardinals toward the election of a new pope after the existing Supreme Pontiff has been discovered dead in bed.

— Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 11 Feb. 2025