rats 1 of 3

interjection

ˈrats How to pronounce rats (audio)
Definition of ratsnext
as in boo
used to express disgust rats, I can't believe anyone would say such a hateful thing

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rats

2 of 3

noun

plural of rat
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

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

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3
as in bastards
a person whose behavior is offensive to others no one can understand what she finds appealing in a rat like him

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

rats

3 of 3

verb

present tense third-person singular of rat
as in leaks

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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 rats
Noun
Maple seeds, known as samaras, provide a bounty for small mammals such as squirrels, chipmunks, rats and mice. — Carl R. Gold, Baltimore Sun, 8 Nov. 2026 Hirsute London street rats with razor-sharp teeth turn desperately hungry and begin noshing everything in sight, from priests to dogs to babies. — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Nov. 2026 First, ensure trash bins are tightly sealed and stored a few feet away from your home, since open waste easily attracts mice or rats. — Emily Benda Gaylord, The Spruce, 1 Nov. 2026 In Africa, giant pouched rats are employed to sniff out tuberculosis. — Marta Zaraaska, Washington Post, 1 Nov. 2026 The rats tear open trash bags and seem to resist mitigation efforts, including poison, peppermint spray and even freezing trash until collection day. — Joe Brandt, CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026 Different animal species have their own flea species, so rats and plague-carrying fleas traveled together. — Faye Flam, Scientific American, 27 Oct. 2026 Lois went to the pet store and bought an ideal home for rats. — Madeline Ffitch, Harpers Magazine, 27 Oct. 2026 Boise’s decision comes on the heels of Central District Health announcing its regional plan to combat rats. — Mark Dee, Idaho Statesman, 21 Oct. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rats
  1. boo
  2. informants
  3. lovers
  4. dogs
  5. warns
  6. informers
  7. fans
  8. jerks
Interjection
  • Williams also recalled witnessing the Super Bowl crowd boo Taylor Swift when she was shown on the jumbotron cheering on her boyfriend, Kansas City Chiefs player Travis Kelce.
    — Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 17 Apr. 2025
  • Highlights include a costume parade (for kids and parents), a Purim story and boo Haman and songs.
    — Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Mar. 2024
Definition of boo
Noun
  • Overton, however, claimed that both informants were lying — and that the semen found on the comforter was planted on the scene by a spurned ex-lover with connections to the police department.
    — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Cseh, the archive's director, said successor governments to dictatorships rarely disclose the names of previous agents and informants, let alone records as detailed as those Hungary is preparing to release.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of informants
Noun
  • Insider tip Lavender lovers, don’t sleep on the in-room bubble bath.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Nov. 2026
  • Louis Vuitton lovers looking for something outside that classic monogram are in luck.
    — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 13 Nov. 2026
Definition of lovers
Noun
  • Black-haired dogs seem to have the toughest time getting adopted, even though many of them are happy, friendly, playful dogs.
    — Maryanne Dell, Oc Register, 7 Nov. 2026
  • The law capped the number of breeding dogs in a single operation at 50 and required rest between breeding cycles.
    — Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of dogs
Verb
  • Mondragón warns, however, against expecting athletes to communicate politics in exactly the vocabulary that activists or academics might prefer.
    — Francisco Aviles Pino, Los Angeles Times, 10 Nov. 2026
  • Risks of measles to mom and baby The CDC warns that measles infection during pregnancy can lead to complications including pneumonia and death, as well as pregnancy loss, premature delivery, and low birth weight for their babies.
    — Dr. Jade Cobern, ABC News, 10 Nov. 2026
Definition of warns
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 informers
Noun
  • Dieffenbach’s surprise return late in the third quarter, which drew roars from UCLA fans, breathed new life into the Bruins.
    — Connor Dullinger, Los Angeles Times, 14 Nov. 2026
  • His aggressive attacking style of play won praise from his players and fans alike.
    — Russell Lewis, NPR, 13 Nov. 2026
Definition of fans
Noun
  • This book includes nothing from Elain’s perspective; hopefully, the next book will prioritize her and possibly offer some magical explanation for why the rest of the Night Court has been such jerks to one another in this novel.
    — Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Lee and his Burning co-writer Oh Jung-mi resist what might have been the first instinct of many filmmakers by refusing to make Ye-ji and Sang-woo overly patronizing rich jerks.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of jerks

Browse Nearby Words

rat (on)
rats
rat snake
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Cite this Entry

“Rats.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rats. Accessed 15 Nov. 2026.

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