1
as in newspaper
a publication that appears at regular intervals
the local rag publishes more gossip than news
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in clothing
rags plural
covering for the human body
the girls showed up at the prom wearing their most elegant rags
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in prank
a playful or mischievous act intended as a joke
a collegiate rag that nearly got him sent down from Oxford
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 rag
Rylee Johnston, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2025
Do that by using a clean rag or paper towel treated with a small amount of commercial cleaning or bleach solution, and rub them for as long as directed by the manufacturer's instructions.
—Audrey Bruno, SELF, 10 Sep. 2025
Dan Rockmore, New Yorker, 9 Aug. 2025
By the time the credits rolled my heart was ragged.
—Literary Hub, 7 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rag
Noun
The set is also easy to clean — just wipe any dirt off with a wet rag.
—Rylee Johnston, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2025
Do that by using a clean rag or paper towel treated with a small amount of commercial cleaning or bleach solution, and rub them for as long as directed by the manufacturer's instructions.
—Audrey Bruno, SELF, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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
By the time the credits rolled my heart was ragged.
—Literary Hub, 7 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rag
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rag
Verb
-
Miss Sammie flashed the scolding look Jean had known since childhood, though playfully now.—
David Wright Faladé,
New Yorker,
28 Sep. 2025
-
Chun also scolded attorneys for Amazon in July for withholding thousands of documents from the FTC and abusing a legal privilege to shield them from scrutiny.—
Annie Palmer,
CNBC,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Clarke and his business partner sold photographs and films, wrote and lectured about their adventures, and began treasure hunting.—
Danny Robb,
JSTOR Daily,
26 Sep. 2025
-
Since exiting Dries Van Noten a few years ago, Scallon has been working as an independent consultant and mentor in fashion communications strategy, also lecturing occasionally and sharing his views about creative content on podcasts.—
Miles Socha,
Footwear News,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
There is a form of right-of-center liberalism that is content with status hierarchies, that is very unhappy with anything that makes people feel reprimanded.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
23 Sep. 2025
-
Brendan Carr, chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), threatened networks to reprimand Kimmel.—
Armon Sadler,
VIBE.com,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
But historically, voters have blamed the party in power for a government shutdown.—
Rachel Schilke,
The Washington Examiner,
28 Sep. 2025
-
Dohn Community High School closed in early 2025, and school officials have blamed Davenport for its abrupt collapse.—
Quinlan Bentley,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
28 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The outlet said many criticized his behavior, labeling it racist, sexist, or out of touch.—
Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa,
FOXNews.com,
28 Sep. 2025
-
Locally, the response was more complicated, with police frequently criticized for their use of force and tear gas.—
Andy Rose,
CNN Money,
28 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rag.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rag. Accessed 3 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share