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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show current usage.
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Recent Examples of rats
Bryant Stamford, Louisville Courier Journal, 6 Nov. 2025
Testing on heart tissue and rats The team embedded rows of these microparticles into a hydrogel patch made from alginate and PEGDA.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 4 Nov. 2025
The act almost entirely excludes rats and mice, the most common research animals.
—Ava Kofman, New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2025
When things go wrong, that’s when all the rats start to come out and try to peck at you and all that other stuff.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 2 Nov. 2025
These are like dollar store rats.
—Chris Spargo, PEOPLE, 31 Oct. 2025
Despite their bad rap, rats are incredibly smart.
—Sarah Durn, Popular Science, 30 Oct. 2025
The tales explore how the people/rats/cats who inhabit the house are driven by selfish desires — and how they are subsequently rewarded or punished by a twist of fate.
—Chris Snellgrove, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Oct. 2025
Taking advantage of vertical space in a garage not only helps keep things organized, but also frees up floor space and protects items from dirt, dust, pests like mice and rats, and moisture.
—Michelle Mastro, Architectural Digest, 23 Oct. 2025
Noun
However, there are numerous animal studies on mice and rats that show positive effects of intermittent fasting to improve insulin sensitivity and normalize blood glucose levels.
—Bryant Stamford, Louisville Courier Journal, 6 Nov. 2025
Testing on heart tissue and rats The team embedded rows of these microparticles into a hydrogel patch made from alginate and PEGDA.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 4 Nov. 2025
The act almost entirely excludes rats and mice, the most common research animals.
—Ava Kofman, New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2025
When things go wrong, that’s when all the rats start to come out and try to peck at you and all that other stuff.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 2 Nov. 2025
These are like dollar store rats.
—Chris Spargo, PEOPLE, 31 Oct. 2025
Despite their bad rap, rats are incredibly smart.
—Sarah Durn, Popular Science, 30 Oct. 2025
The tales explore how the people/rats/cats who inhabit the house are driven by selfish desires — and how they are subsequently rewarded or punished by a twist of fate.
—Chris Snellgrove, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Oct. 2025
Taking advantage of vertical space in a garage not only helps keep things organized, but also frees up floor space and protects items from dirt, dust, pests like mice and rats, and moisture.
—Michelle Mastro, Architectural Digest, 23 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rats
Noun
-
According to court documents, the FBI has been investigating the Washington and New Jersey defendants since 2023, monitoring their conversations with the help of undercover FBI informants and agents.—
John Wisely,
Freep.com,
10 Nov. 2025
-
In 2020, the high court ruled that Muslim men who claimed their religious rights were violated for being placed on the government’s no-fly list after refusing to serve as FBI informants could sue the FBI agents for damages.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
10 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Best Playful Design Pup lovers will swoon over this white ceramic dachshund menorah by Jonathan Adler, which is finished with a soft satin matte glaze.—
Rachel Fletcher,
Architectural Digest,
11 Nov. 2025
-
Frosted Fraser Fir Artificial Lit Christmas Tree Flocked trees are a major trend and a must-have for some decor lovers, and this one is thoroughly frosted.—
Shea Simmons,
PEOPLE,
11 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
An inmate who trains service dogs was also instructed to give Maxwell time with one of the puppies, even though the dogs are not supposed to be pet during training.—
Rebecca Beitsch,
The Hill,
10 Nov. 2025
-
These include German shepherds, boxers, Pembroke Welsh corgis, Chesapeake Bay retrievers, Rhodesian ridgebacks, and Bernese mountain dogs.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The Mavs are one of the worst teams in the NBA, with a roster that fans not only don’t know, but don’t care to know.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 Nov. 2025
-
Now, Nintendo decided to shadow drop a massive announcement, leading the fans to flock to the internet over the news.—
James Brizuela,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Like canaries in the coal mine ocean form.—
Ashley Miznazi,
Miami Herald,
16 Oct. 2025
-
During the late 19th and early 20th century, coal miners in Europe and North America used canaries as living carbon monoxide alarms.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
13 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The stakes of climate chaos and potential solutions are enormous for humanity and all our co-denizens of Planet Earth.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Finding your tribe within the denizens of cosplayers, when that tribe is a minority group often not expected to engage in the activity, is especially heartwarming.—
Nikki Birch,
NPR,
31 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
By the mid 19th century, clowns were more central to circus entertainment, and their acts more risqué.—
Time,
Time,
30 Oct. 2025
-
The clowns come at you quickly at Fast Splash Car Wash in Detroit, Mich.—
Neda Ulaby,
NPR,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The report warns that the average global temperature rise over multiple decades is likely to exceed the Paris Agreement threshold within the next decade.—
Matthew Glasser,
ABC News,
9 Nov. 2025
-
The Climate Prediction Center warns of potential early-season lake-effect snow in northern Ohio, gusty winds and temperatures well below normal, especially in areas near Lake Erie and in higher terrain.—
Brandi D. Addison,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
8 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rats.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rats. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.
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