There are several synonyms for the phrase "was classified among," which can help convey different shades of meaning. For instance, "was categorized within" highlights the fact that the thing or person in question was grouped or sorted into a particular category or class. "Was ranked among" emphasizes the relative position of the thing or person in relation to others; it suggests that there were other things or people that were also ranked, but that this particular one was in a certain position on the ranking. Other options might include "was assigned to," "was grouped with," "was catalogued under," or "was designated among." Ultimately, the choice of synonym will depend on the context and intended meaning of the sentence.