clatter 1 of 2

noun

Definition of clatternext
as in commotion
a state of noisy, confused activity the clatter of a crowded cafeteria

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

clatter

2 of 2

verb

ˈkla-tər How to pronounce clatter (audio)
as in to rattle
to make a series of short sharp noises horses' hooves clattering on the pavement

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 clatter
Noun
Saws buzz, trucks beep, and hammers clatter. — Aarne Heikkila, NBC news, 14 May 2026 Sound has nowhere to go but back at you, amplifying every clink and clatter until your reasonable-volume conversation doesn’t stand a chance. — Allyson Reedy, Denver Post, 13 May 2026
Verb
All but one of these 22 songs could slot seamlessly into More Chaos’ clattering tracklist. — Eli Enis, Pitchfork, 9 July 2026 Butch had been little more than a clattering irritation at the edges of Will’s life. — Emily Ruskovich, The Atlantic, 7 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for clatter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clatter
  1. commotion
  2. rattle
  3. disturbance
  4. clack
  5. hurry
  6. fuss
  7. stir
  8. noise
Noun
  • All of that pregame commotion set the stage for what came next.
    — Trey Wallace OutKick, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2026
  • The Canadian singer caused a commotion with her ensemble, showing off a head-to-toe Alaïa ensemble from the upcoming Archetypes spring 2027 collection.
    — Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of commotion
Verb
  • First, there was the sight of Kylian Mbappe rattling in Madrid’s opening goal to move alongside Raul Gonzalez as the joint fifth all-time scorer in Champions League history.
    — Daniel Taylor, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Morgan’s resolute denials pleased his family and friends, but in fact he was deeply rattled.
    — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of rattle
Noun
  • The front retreats to the north, but chances of rain stick around into early Friday as the shortwave (small disturbance) pushes out of the area.
    — Michael Autovino, CBS News, 10 Sep. 2026
  • That disturbance can travel eastward from the Tibetan Plateau as a large-scale atmospheric wave, known as a Tibetan Plateau-Rocky Mountain Wave train.
    — Yongkang Xue, The Conversation, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of disturbance
Verb
  • Once, when his unit came under heavy fire, a soldier running for cover caught a glimpse of Salinger hunched under a table, clacking away like a frenzied newsman on deadline.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Automobile horns echoed here and there in the distance, and as the government railway train departed the station under the bridge, a string of small lights heralded the far-off clacking of its wheels.
    — Cynthia Zarin, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of clack
Noun
  • Armondo Blount had Miami’s only sack, and PFF credited UM with only seven quarterback hurries (three by Blount, and one apiece by Omar Thornton, Chase Smith, Lightfoot and Justin Scott).
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2026
  • In hurry-and-scurry mode, Katalyst built a robotic spacecraft called LINK, which launched on July 3 to meet up with Swift and haul it to a higher orbit.
    — Leonard David, Space.com, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of hurry
Noun
  • The Amalfi Coast has become something of a cliché, but this reminds you what all the fuss was about in the first place.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Caicedo has been super low-key, taking every opportunity to voice his commitment to Chelsea when asked about his future and signing a new contract with minimal fuss last season.
    — Simon Johnson, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of fuss
Noun
  • Yet the notice has also raised a stir in the mathematics community for another reason.
    — Karina Tsui, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Maybe removing Joel Shapiro's Blue so summarily from its perch at the Kennedy Center will make people even more eager to seek out the towering figure who caused such a stir.
    — Scott Simon, NPR, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of stir
Noun
  • Design delivers low noise and vibration levels The new Elegance Pod is being developed with a strong focus on total system efficiency.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 7 Sep. 2026
  • However, communities will want answers about noise and flight paths.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of noise

Browse Nearby Words

classy
clatter
clattered
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Cite this Entry

“Clatter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clatter. Accessed 14 Sep. 2026.

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