1
as in railings
a protective barrier consisting of a horizontal bar and its supports
the stairs are icy, so hold onto the rail
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rails
Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Apr. 2026
Bogey’s Image, ridden by Teddy Davies, appeared to win, only for a lengthy stewards’ inquiry to delay the result as spectators waited along the rails.
—Michael Howes, Baltimore Sun, 11 Apr. 2026
Critics say that Hungary is dotted with such projects, often financed by the same institution Orbán rails against.
—Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 11 Apr. 2026
After missing the Lakers’ previous game, the 21-time All-NBA player returned as the guiding force with the season threatening to go off the rails.
—Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026
Work has included replacing the rails and refreshing the ride vehicles, according to the official Disney Parks Blog.
—Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Apr. 2026
Hersheypark made headlines last summer when a lost boy wandering a monorail line above a crowd was rescued by a park visitor who climbed onto a building and jumped onto the rails.
—ABC News, 7 Apr. 2026
Has this intro already gone off the rails?
—Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 7 Apr. 2026
Beijing is also advancing railgun technology, a type of electromagnetic weapon that propels projectiles along a pair of parallel rails at extreme speeds, while promising higher velocity and longer range than conventional guns, potentially transforming naval and land-based combat.
—Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 5 Apr. 2026
Noun
The rails of the ship were crowded with crew members who cheered and used iPhones to capture and distribute the moment.
—Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Apr. 2026
Bogey’s Image, ridden by Teddy Davies, appeared to win, only for a lengthy stewards’ inquiry to delay the result as spectators waited along the rails.
—Michael Howes, Baltimore Sun, 11 Apr. 2026
Critics say that Hungary is dotted with such projects, often financed by the same institution Orbán rails against.
—Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 11 Apr. 2026
After missing the Lakers’ previous game, the 21-time All-NBA player returned as the guiding force with the season threatening to go off the rails.
—Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026
Work has included replacing the rails and refreshing the ride vehicles, according to the official Disney Parks Blog.
—Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Apr. 2026
Hersheypark made headlines last summer when a lost boy wandering a monorail line above a crowd was rescued by a park visitor who climbed onto a building and jumped onto the rails.
—ABC News, 7 Apr. 2026
Has this intro already gone off the rails?
—Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 7 Apr. 2026
Beijing is also advancing railgun technology, a type of electromagnetic weapon that propels projectiles along a pair of parallel rails at extreme speeds, while promising higher velocity and longer range than conventional guns, potentially transforming naval and land-based combat.
—Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 5 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rails
Noun
-
Don’t forget to use it on all steps and railings.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Hold on to railings when available.—
Ross Phan,
Verywell Health,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
During the chase, Leatherman used highly dangerous evasive moves on local roads, open fields and residential properties, court documents show.—
JT Moodee Lockman,
CBS News,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Hydroplaning happens when a vehicle starts sliding uncontrollably on wet roads.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
And his ultimate war is with Bob, a tech CEO who rants about his haters and has gotten rich off rebranded snake oil and whose obvious corruption has been obscured by his self-mythologizing.—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
29 Aug. 2025
-
One grumbles when the driver rants about development’s ravages.—
Mark Ellwood,
Robb Report,
10 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Former conductor Darren Brown, a West Palm Beach resident with a long history in railroads, sued the Florida passenger rail company in mid-December, alleging that his involvement in numerous Brightline fatalities left him psychologically wounded.—
Brittany Wallman,
Miami Herald,
9 Apr. 2026
-
The number of corporations exploded and financial markets provided funds for railroads, telegraph lines, and research and development.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
At least two of the targets were connected to Iran’s rail network, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israeli warplanes struck bridges and railways in Iran.—
Bassem Mroue,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Convenience on the railways There is little glamour late night in a crowded Amtrak station.—
Bill Barrow,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rails.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rails. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026.
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