1
as in newspaper
a publication that appears at regular intervals
the local rag publishes more gossip than news
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2
as in clothing
rags plural
covering for the human body
the girls showed up at the prom wearing their most elegant rags
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as in prank
a playful or mischievous act intended as a joke
a collegiate rag that nearly got him sent down from Oxford
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as in to scold
to criticize (someone) severely or angrily especially for personal failings
several readers called in to rag the editor for his paper's repeated grammatical lapses
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rag
Carolyn Burt, Oc Register, 28 Oct. 2025
Estate sales, yard sales, and connections with rag houses form the backbone of Low Timers’ vintage ecosystem.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 24 Oct. 2025
Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 12 Aug. 2025
This ragged archive amounts to a record of my thinking, or at least those bits that, for a moment, seemed worth saving.
—Dan Rockmore, New Yorker, 9 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rag
Noun
The video went viral, internet sleuths did their thing, and their identities were splashed across every gossip rag in town.
—Carolyn Burt, Oc Register, 28 Oct. 2025
Estate sales, yard sales, and connections with rag houses form the backbone of Low Timers’ vintage ecosystem.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 24 Oct. 2025
Verb
Travis Kelce knows all about sacrificing, training and running your body ragged in order to play like a champ on game day.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 12 Aug. 2025
This ragged archive amounts to a record of my thinking, or at least those bits that, for a moment, seemed worth saving.
—Dan Rockmore, New Yorker, 9 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rag
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rag
Verb
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Nawat Itsaragrisil, president of Miss Grand International (MGI), was seen scolding Fatima Bosch, a 25-year-old contestant from Mexico, ahead of the 74th Miss Universe competition being held in Bangkok later this month.—
Anabella González,
CNN Money,
8 Nov. 2025
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No doubt many grandmothers will want to scold us, but the truth is, soap isn't going to destroy your cast iron pans.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The same government that lectures Beijing about state capitalism and nonmarket behaviors now practices it at home.—
Veronique De Rugy,
Oc Register,
23 Oct. 2025
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But Andres Bernal, a political analyst who lectures at the City University of New York, thinks many young voters look at Cuomo's history of controversy and are reminded of the Democratic Party establishment that has left them disillusioned.—
Brian Mann,
NPR,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
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What To Know On November 4, Itsaragrisil publicly reprimanded Miss Mexico, Fatima Bosch, during a sashing ceremony at a hotel in Bangkok.—
Megan Cartwright,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Nov. 2025
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The board voted unanimously to reprimand Bowden.—
Ciara McCarthy,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Chipotle and Cava both reported weaker sales this fall, blaming a slowdown among younger diners who are packing lunches instead.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
9 Nov. 2025
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The hurricane has been blamed for 77 deaths, according to the Pan American Health Organization.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
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House Democrats swiftly criticized the Senate.—
Orianna Rosa Royle,
Fortune,
10 Nov. 2025
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Bibelheimer also had good reason to criticize the film, as Ferrell’s portrayal of her was wildly at odds with the truth.—
Sarah Weinman,
Rolling Stone,
9 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rag.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rag. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.
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