rat 1 of 2

noun

ˈrat How to pronounce rat (audio)
Definition of ratnext
1
as in informant
a person who provides information about another's wrongdoing the drug mule refused to turn rat without a guarantee of immunity

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in lover
someone who regularly spends time in a particular place on Friday night the mall rats were out in full force

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in bastard
a person whose behavior is offensive to others no one can understand what she finds appealing in a rat like him

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

rat

2 of 2

verb

as in to leak

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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 rat
Noun
The two cats stayed at the house but also roamed outside to help with the rats. — Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 4 July 2026 The news comes 20 years after the island was declared free of invasive rats. — Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 2 July 2026 Squirrel poop is about half an inch long, but a little rounder than rat poop. — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 1 July 2026 The best scene is likely when the swarm of rats first comes to town, played up for maximum creepiness. — Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 1 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for rat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rat
  1. informant
  2. lover
  3. dog
  4. leak
  5. informer
  6. fan
  7. jerk
  8. talk
Noun
  • The Justice Department unveiled this case against it, essentially arguing that SPLC had been defrauding its donors by paying informants within far-right groups who were infiltrating those groups.
    — Hanna Rosin, The Atlantic, 9 July 2026
  • Earlier this year, a Times investigation revealed ICE deported an informant who had turned against two of his co-defendants in a meth smuggling case.
    — James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
Definition of informant
Noun
  • The move is contentious, with environmentalists supporting the removal, while tribes and horse lovers are heartbroken.
    — Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
  • Boating rules Sacramento’s local waterways are an valuable resource for boat-lovers in the area, but changing water conditions and strong currents require operators to stay alert.
    — Haley Parsley July 9, Sacbee.com, 9 July 2026
Definition of lover
Noun
  • Sit, who went by the first name Tony, operated Happy K9 Academy and the dogs were in his care when they were kept in crates in a hot van and died, the district attorney’s office said.
    — Phil Helsel, NBC news, 11 July 2026
  • When an Instagram video with nearly 100 million views likened his appearance to a green onion — its wiry roots standing in as his hair — Haaland responded in the comments with a side-eyeing dog GIF.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 11 July 2026
Definition of dog
Verb
  • Variety reported that attendees were asked to sign nondisclosure agreements so that certain elements of the event didn't leak to the public.
    — Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 4 July 2026
  • These weapons leak toxic chemicals into fragile ecosystems and abruptly disrupt critical coastal infrastructure projects.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 3 July 2026
Definition of leak
Noun
  • One of State Security’s main goals, as well as a central source of its strength, is turning civilians into informers.
    — Abraham Jiménez Enoa, The Dial, 19 May 2026
  • And so every regime invests in having student informers.
    — Anne Applebaum, The Atlantic, 23 Jan. 2026
Definition of informer
Noun
  • After the scorching heat of Paris Fashion Week Men’s, the heatwave returned, much like the fans and cooling devices at shows.
    — Laure Guilbault, Vogue, 10 July 2026
  • But the departure of those teams was good news for fans purchasing tickets this week for the quarterfinals.
    — Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 10 July 2026
Definition of fan
Noun
  • Bates plans to expand that menu in the new brick-and-mortar restaurant, adding dishes like jerk catfish pasta and Louisiana Cajun cream sauce over dirty rice.
    — Joey Schamber, jsonline.com, 8 July 2026
  • For instance, there are glazed pork belly chunks served on crispy tostones, tuna tataki with a jerk-spice rub, and a bright, citrusy conch salad.
    — Chadner Navarro, Travel + Leisure, 29 June 2026
Definition of jerk
Verb
  • The defendant also did not talk much about gender issues or LGBTQ rights, Twiggs said.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 10 July 2026
  • Enjoy socializing and talking to people from different backgrounds.
    — Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 10 July 2026
Definition of talk

Phrases Containing rat

Browse Nearby Words

rassling
rat
ratbag
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Cite this Entry

“Rat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rat. Accessed 15 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on rat

Nglish: Translation of rat for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about rat

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