as in commotion
a state of noisy, confused activity
the clatter of a crowded cafeteria
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Timothy Depeugh, Charlotte Observer, 8 Apr. 2026
Footwork clatter and thudding 808s exude yearning emotion on the young producer-songwriter’s patchworked new track.
—Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 13 Mar. 2026
Sam Knight, New Yorker, 14 May 2026
The seeds are loose and clatter around inside the pods, giving baptisia the name rattleweed, as children once used the seedpods as rattles.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 12 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for clatter
Noun
Just the check, the soft clatter of plates and that lingering smell of basil and coconut that follows you out the door.
—Timothy Depeugh, Charlotte Observer, 8 Apr. 2026
Footwork clatter and thudding 808s exude yearning emotion on the young producer-songwriter’s patchworked new track.
—Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 13 Mar. 2026
Verb
There have been a dozen political crises in Britain in the past decade, when Prime Ministers have fallen, elections have been called, and helicopters clattered overhead.
—Sam Knight, New Yorker, 14 May 2026
The seeds are loose and clatter around inside the pods, giving baptisia the name rattleweed, as children once used the seedpods as rattles.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 12 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for clatter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clatter
Noun
-
By this time, multiple police officers had arrived on the scene, according to a convenience store clerk who witnessed the commotion outside.—
Hannah McIlree,
CBS News,
19 June 2026
-
Seeing the commotion, Louis and Paul came galloping back.—
Dolores Brown,
Outdoor Life,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
Hong Kong — The buzzing of needles and gasps of pain fall silent, replaced by the clacking and rattling of steel and plastic colliding.—
Chris Lau,
CNN Money,
24 June 2026
-
Which is why we were thrilled to find so many Prime Day deals on enriching toys, like this beautiful wooden Montessori toy, this silicone rattle and teether combo, and this charming teddy bear.—
Parents,
Parents,
23 June 2026
Noun
-
Golt could not say what the disturbance was about.—
Peter D'Oench,
CBS News,
22 June 2026
-
However, in the eastern Pacific basin, a pair of tropical disturbances are being watched for possible development in the next several days far from land.—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
22 June 2026
Verb
-
Clicking and clacking, a tiny wooden marionette lifts an apple to his mouth ad infinitum.—
Jessica Kozuka,
Travel + Leisure,
10 June 2026
-
Babe, that clacking fan is long gone.—
E.R. Pulgar,
SPIN,
10 June 2026
Noun
-
William Saliba — France/Arsenal (same) Saliba does everything on the pitch with a minimum of fuss.—
Liam Twomey,
New York Times,
24 June 2026
-
The flowy silhouette packs down without much fuss.—
Robin Raven,
Travel + Leisure,
22 June 2026
Noun
-
The cover girl, who is drawn on the box, has created a stir.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2026
-
Rag and Bone’s Miramar line has caused a stir among celebrities and editors alike since its debut a few years ago.—
Erika Reals,
InStyle,
23 June 2026
Noun
-
Evans worked as an off-the-ball floor spacer with the ability to heat up from outside in a hurry while shooting 38% from behind the arc through two seasons.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
24 June 2026
-
His hushed, ragged whisper feels suitably weathered, fitting a collection of songs that never are in a hurry.—
Stephen Thomas Erlewine,
Pitchfork,
22 June 2026
Noun
-
But residents who live near hyperscale centers have expressed outrage over a range of issues, including health impacts, spiking utility bills, constant noise, dropping water pressure and concerns about potentially losing their land through eminent domain.—
Katie King,
Los Angeles Times,
21 June 2026
-
Some carried placards and others banged plates, their noise cutting through the crowd protesting and demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
20 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Clatter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clatter. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
