highly ranked

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "highly ranked" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone or something that has received a high position or status in a ranking system, such as in academics, sports, or other competitive fields. Example: "The university is known for its highly ranked engineering program, attracting students from around the world."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

This game was followed up with another highly ranked opponent, the twelfth-ranked Gators.

Wikipedia

This online program has been highly ranked by US News and other leading online college rankings.

Wikipedia

Now, with democracy and openness, culture is very highly ranked".

The New York Times

He was often more highly ranked than the chef.

The New York Times - Food

He's highly ranked, he's with the Matchroom team.

The Guardian - Sport

Only highly ranked players were given a slot.

The New York Times - Sports

Another son, George Lindemann Jr., was a highly ranked equestrian.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Using Method 4, the change-in-ranks method, only one facility previously identified as highly-ranked remained highly-ranked.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

What's more, the more highly-ranked the comedian, the shorter their life.

The Guardian

Karlsson had had a respectable season and Harrington is Europe's most highly-ranked player.

The Guardian - Sport

A second, highly-ranked European school accepted him but then withdrew the offer.

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "highly ranked" to indicate relative position within a specific group, rather than as a general term for quality. For example, "a highly ranked player" is more precise than "a good player".

Common error

Avoid phrasing like "it is highly ranked" when you can use active voice: "the university is highly ranked" demonstrates stronger writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "highly ranked" functions primarily as a pre-modifying adjective, describing a noun by indicating its position or status within a ranking system. Ludwig confirms its correct usage in numerous contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

24%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Reference

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "highly ranked" is a commonly used and grammatically sound adjective phrase used to describe entities that hold a high position within a ranking system. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage spans various contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Wiki sources. For enhanced clarity and precision, specify the ranking source when possible. While alternatives such as "top-tier" and "elite" exist, "highly ranked" provides a direct and widely understood indication of status. Avoid redundancy by opting for "highly ranked" over "very highly ranked".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

top-tier

Implies belonging to the highest level or quality.

top-rated

Focuses on positive ratings and reviews.

elite

Suggests exclusivity and superior status.

preeminent

Emphasizes outstanding importance or superiority.

esteemed

Highlights respect and admiration.

well-regarded

Indicates a positive reputation and good opinion.

leading

Suggests being at the forefront or in a position of dominance.

prominent

Implies being well-known and important.

superior

Focuses on a higher level of quality or performance.

blue-chip

Typically used in a business context to denote high value and reliability.

FAQs

How can I use "highly ranked" in a sentence?

You can use "highly ranked" to describe entities that have achieved a high position in a specific ranking system. For example, "The university is known for its "highly ranked" engineering program."

What are some alternatives to "highly ranked"?

Alternatives to "highly ranked" include "top-tier", "top-rated", or "elite", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "very highly ranked"?

While not strictly incorrect, "very highly ranked" can be redundant since "highly" already implies a high degree. Consider using just ""highly ranked"" for conciseness.

What does it mean when something is "highly ranked"?

When something is "highly ranked", it means it has achieved a high position or status in a ranking system based on specific criteria, such as quality, performance, or popularity.