1
as in informants
a person who provides information about another's wrongdoing
the drug mule refused to turn rat without a guarantee of immunity
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in lovers
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 dogs
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rats
ABC News, 1 Apr. 2026
Corrigan has personally seen evidence of rats surviving even the grisliest encounters with traps, as well as videos of rats pushing metal bars off their necks and surviving for months after losing limbs to traps.
—Jason Bittel, Big Think, 31 Mar. 2026
The bill explicitly allowed county commissioners, pest control and abatement districts, and public health districts to take action on rats of their own accord.
—Mark Dee
march 31, Idaho Statesman, 31 Mar. 2026
Noun
The city might be hospitable because humans have reduced the numbers of predators like rats and cats around restaurants and buildings.
—ABC News, 1 Apr. 2026
Corrigan has personally seen evidence of rats surviving even the grisliest encounters with traps, as well as videos of rats pushing metal bars off their necks and surviving for months after losing limbs to traps.
—Jason Bittel, Big Think, 31 Mar. 2026
The bill explicitly allowed county commissioners, pest control and abatement districts, and public health districts to take action on rats of their own accord.
—Mark Dee
march 31, Idaho Statesman, 31 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rats
Noun
-
The Weathermen and Panthers held meetings together and exchanged intel about government surveillance and police informants.—
Zayd Ayers Dohrn,
New Yorker,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Zannelli stepped in as acting chief in January after Karl Jacobson abruptly filed retirement papers when he was confronted about money that was missing from the fund the department uses to pay confidential informants.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
This cozy getaway is designed for vintage lovers and hygge seekers—and is almost guaranteed to make it onto your Instagram feed.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
30 Mar. 2026
-
The event, which was started by the city but is now run by Red Rock 4-Wheelers, gives 4×4 lovers a chance to responsibly drive on trails through one of the most beautiful natural settings in the country.—
Bryan Hood,
Robb Report,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Those who use the path with their dogs are encouraged to contact a veterinarian if a foxtail barb is found.—
Ashley Mackin Solomon,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Given their disparate geographical locations, this suggested that dogs were already widespread across western Eurasia between 18,500 and 14,000 years ago, according to the study.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
And so every regime invests in having student informers.—
Anne Applebaum,
The Atlantic,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Security services also rely on informers to tell them who might be using Starlink, and search internet and social media traffic for signs it has been used.—
David Rising,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
In this week’s reader mailbag, Charlotte Observer reporter Alex Zietlow answers questions on the minds of Panthers fans.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Mar. 2026
-
In fact, many who come are fans of Frank Lloyd Wright.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The proverbial canaries in coal mines will then cause a recession.—
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
1 Mar. 2026
-
By crunching data from millions of monthly payroll records for workers in jobs with exposure to generative AI, the authors concluded that workers ages 22 to 25—the canaries—have seen about a 13 percent decline in employment since late 2022.—
Josh Tyrangiel,
The Atlantic,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Many denizens of those across the Middle East are being told to work from home, particularly with the rising gas prices.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Other after-dark nature tours include night snorkeling tours on Oahu’s North Shore that reveal the creatures of the coral reefs and other nocturnal denizens of the deep.—
Ben Davidson,
Mercury News,
16 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Performances and stunts are delivered by international acrobats and clowns during music and light shows.—
Abby Hamblin,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Mar. 2026
-
How did clowns become a protest symbol?—
Janet W. Lee,
NPR,
5 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rats.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rats. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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