as in clothes
covering for the human body
the girls showed up at the prom wearing their most elegant rags
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
as in scolds
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.
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Recent Examples of rags
Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 7 Sep. 2025
Even so, staff also rely on cold rags and ice vests for relief.
—Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2025
This timeless rags-to-riches romance movie captures hearts with its humor, passion and unforgettable fun.
—Caitlin White, Variety, 2 Sep. 2025
There are men who walk around in rags, their genitalia showing.
—Rachel Cusk, New Yorker, 24 Aug. 2025
In a video posted last week, Cooper’s camera caught the swish of rags and the hum of voices as a few of her family members and friends worked to get the shop ready for its grand opening.
—Evan Moore
august 15, Charlotte Observer, 15 Aug. 2025
While the world knows much of Dolly’s rags-to-riches story, the musical delves into parts of Dolly’s life she’s kept private until now.
—Pam Windsor, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
After Baker, who was holding a cellphone and cleaning rags, didn’t turn off the music, Ifonlaja-Randle hit him in the face.
—Nick Ferraro, Twin Cities, 6 Aug. 2025
Noun
Use clean old towels or rags to ensure the surface gets completely dry.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 7 Sep. 2025
Even so, staff also rely on cold rags and ice vests for relief.
—Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2025
This timeless rags-to-riches romance movie captures hearts with its humor, passion and unforgettable fun.
—Caitlin White, Variety, 2 Sep. 2025
There are men who walk around in rags, their genitalia showing.
—Rachel Cusk, New Yorker, 24 Aug. 2025
In a video posted last week, Cooper’s camera caught the swish of rags and the hum of voices as a few of her family members and friends worked to get the shop ready for its grand opening.
—Evan Moore
august 15, Charlotte Observer, 15 Aug. 2025
While the world knows much of Dolly’s rags-to-riches story, the musical delves into parts of Dolly’s life she’s kept private until now.
—Pam Windsor, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
After Baker, who was holding a cellphone and cleaning rags, didn’t turn off the music, Ifonlaja-Randle hit him in the face.
—Nick Ferraro, Twin Cities, 6 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rags
Verb
-
Woke scolds and anti-woke dolts alike objected to the image of Carpenter kneeling in front of a man who appears to be using her hair as a leash.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
29 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The content drew attention to the country’s inequality by contrasting the lives of the children of the country’s elite – with designer clothing and foreign vacations – with images of Nepali migrant workers returning home in coffins from dangerous jobs abroad.—
Nir Kshetri,
The Conversation,
14 Sep. 2025
-
The lifestyle brand, best known for its range of products from clothing to home goods, boasts an online catalog of quiet luxury items at budget-friendly prices.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Yeanoplos lectures throughout the United States on the topics of valuation, applied finance and financial analysis, has been a faculty member for the AICPA’s National Business Valuation School for close to 25 years and is currently on the faculty of the ABA Family Law Trial Advocacy Institute.—
BySteel Rose,
Forbes.com,
20 Aug. 2025
-
Jon Michaels, a professor of law at UCLA who lectures about national security, said that the documents found in the printer of the Alaskan hotel reveal a lapse in professional judgement in preparation for a high-stakes meeting.—
Chiara Eisner,
NPR,
16 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Sandals or flip-flops are recommended attire.—
Michael Goldstein,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Maybe Zoryve is like wearing weekend athleisure to balance out our weekday work attire.—
Megan McIntyre,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
There were chiffon dresses that gave a nod to the 1920s with their drop waists.—
Blue Carreon,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
-
The corset acted as a base for the black fabric of the dress.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
16 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rags.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rags. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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