superior
The root word of "ranking" is "rank," which means to assign a position based on a particular characteristic or quality.
The term promote is an English word which means to call attention to or stand out. The term may also be used in reference to getting a higher ranking job.
A knight is a high ranking soldier.
degree
The word "Linear" means "of degree one".
The word how is an adverb. It means to what degree.
Discrepancy means a degree of difference.
Intense
ranking = Classement
The root word of graduation is grad. Grad means to gather.
The word partially is an adverb. It means to do something to a partial degree.
ascent