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
Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2025
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
Noun
The entrepreneur’s rags-to-riches story took a dark turn in 2004 when he was charged with tax evasion and embezzling company funds.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2025
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
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
-
Even more, clothing that is dynamic enough to wear to the office but also to the football game is convenient for anyone’s fall wardrobe rotation.—
Rebecca Jones,
Southern Living,
2 Nov. 2025
-
Across the street from the temple, a sprawl of vendors sold clothing, jewelry, toys, fabric and instruments.—
Annika Merrilees,
Sacbee.com,
2 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
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
Noun
-
According to statewide court guidance and the Texas Courts of Appeals, participants are expected to wear business or business casual attire.—
Tiffani Jackson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Do not wear any political shirts, hats, buttons or other attire featuring candidates or ballot initiatives.—
Joseph Hernandez,
Kansas City Star,
3 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Natasha opted for a brown strapless leather maxi dress, while her younger sister, Ella, wore a gray-and-white pinstripe blazer and skirt paired with a simple black shirt.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
PEOPLE,
4 Nov. 2025
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Her hair and camp dress still had some of the special paint used to transform the 11-year-old girl into Changing Woman, the Apache deity who was the first woman of her people, gifted with spiritual and physical power during the Sunrise Dance, one of the Apache people’s most enduring ceremonies.—
Shaun McKinnon,
AZCentral.com,
4 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rags.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rags. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
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