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
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Recent Examples of rags
Literary Hub, 6 Oct. 2025
But in the small areas of freedom McAvoy allows himself outside the main thrust of the familiar rags-to-riches-to-regret arc there are sharp little digressions and darker shadowy corners that suggest there’s more to the film, and to McAvoy as a filmmaker, than initially meets the eye.
—Jessica Kiang, Variety, 4 Oct. 2025
Microfiber cloths or cotton rags are good options.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 2 Oct. 2025
The Lady charts the rise and fall of Andrews, whose rags-to-riches fairytale fell apart when she was convicted of murder.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 26 Sep. 2025
Even so, staff also rely on cold rags and ice vests for relief.
—Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 5 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
Noun
In this melancholy-comic subversion of a rags-to-riches story Karl’s empathetic musings about those less fortunate immigrants foreshadow his subsequent downhill trajectory.
—Literary Hub, 6 Oct. 2025
But in the small areas of freedom McAvoy allows himself outside the main thrust of the familiar rags-to-riches-to-regret arc there are sharp little digressions and darker shadowy corners that suggest there’s more to the film, and to McAvoy as a filmmaker, than initially meets the eye.
—Jessica Kiang, Variety, 4 Oct. 2025
Microfiber cloths or cotton rags are good options.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 2 Oct. 2025
The Lady charts the rise and fall of Andrews, whose rags-to-riches fairytale fell apart when she was convicted of murder.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 26 Sep. 2025
Even so, staff also rely on cold rags and ice vests for relief.
—Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 5 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rags
Verb
-
Governance scolds are appalled by the number, as is the pope.—
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
16 Sep. 2025
-
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
-
When co-anchor Colin Jost pointed out that, per the book's lore, the clothing items mean Dobby is now free, the house elf jumped for joy — while Yang desperately clung to the fabric at his shoulders to keep it from sliding entirely off.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
5 Oct. 2025
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Investigators recovered more bones, clothing and personal effects, but other than determining the remains belonged to a woman who was at least middle-aged, could not identify her, deputies said.—
Don Sweeney,
Sacbee.com,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Kenji lectures on the difference between Japanese static views of ruins versus Western dynamic interpretations and carries the memory of past earthquakes.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
22 Sep. 2025
-
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
Noun
-
The veteran safety, one of only two first-string defensive backs to start and finish the game Sunday, sat alone in his locker still draped in nearly all his game attire, minus the jersey and shoulder pads.—
Michael-Shawn Dugar,
New York Times,
6 Oct. 2025
-
Unlike the plaid shirts of the ‘90s, this season’s fashion week runways have elevated tartan to blazers, skirts, cocktail attire, and evening wear.—
Clare Holden,
Glamour,
6 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Swift has embraced the Hollywood glamour for her The Life of a Showgirl press tour and in the album’s artwork, which features the artist wearing a custom chainmail dress.—
Charna Flam,
PEOPLE,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Score great sales on items for yourself or your fam, like 33% off a flattering maxi dress for fall, the popular Stanley Quencher Tumbler, or a cute Lego flower set.—
Katrina Cossey,
Parents,
7 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rags.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rags. Accessed 10 Oct. 2025.
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