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
Arkansas Online, 11 Jan. 2026
The animals play a vital role in the ecosystem as their diet consists of small rodents such as mice, rats and squirrels.
—Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2026
Or, more accurately, in this case, rats.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 9 Jan. 2026
Plus, Malekzadeh said that the estrogen changes in the rats happened abruptly, which doesn’t reflect the gradual and fluctuating loss women experience due to perimenopause and menopause.
—Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 7 Jan. 2026
Similarly, unhoused patients are either sources of spectacle (the first season’s man with rats nesting in his clothing) or figures whose primary function is to showcase the nurses’ compassion.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 6 Jan. 2026
Some of the research is on mice and rats, and the results don't always translate well to humans.
—Amber J. Tresca, Verywell Health, 5 Jan. 2026
Now, any creature that eats rats is a friend of mine.
—Inga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Jan. 2026
In the meantime, traffic and rats.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 5 Jan. 2026
Noun
Sometimes rats chew the machines' wires or an explosion causes more serious damage.
—Arkansas Online, 11 Jan. 2026
The animals play a vital role in the ecosystem as their diet consists of small rodents such as mice, rats and squirrels.
—Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2026
Or, more accurately, in this case, rats.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 9 Jan. 2026
Plus, Malekzadeh said that the estrogen changes in the rats happened abruptly, which doesn’t reflect the gradual and fluctuating loss women experience due to perimenopause and menopause.
—Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 7 Jan. 2026
Similarly, unhoused patients are either sources of spectacle (the first season’s man with rats nesting in his clothing) or figures whose primary function is to showcase the nurses’ compassion.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 6 Jan. 2026
Some of the research is on mice and rats, and the results don't always translate well to humans.
—Amber J. Tresca, Verywell Health, 5 Jan. 2026
Now, any creature that eats rats is a friend of mine.
—Inga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Jan. 2026
In the meantime, traffic and rats.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 5 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rats
Noun
-
Jacobsen, who was appointed chief in 2022, is suspected of stealing money from a department fund that was created to pay confidential informants.—
Edmund H. Mahony,
Hartford Courant,
6 Jan. 2026
-
In a separate court filing submitted Monday, Cole’s attorneys also demanded broad discovery, including all statements attributed to him, investigative notes, information about the FBI’s use of informants to identify Cole as a suspect, and any exculpatory material.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
29 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
After all, when lovers of the cosmos come together in this Earth sign, tradition, courtship and long-term commitment take precedence over fleeting chemistry.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
7 Jan. 2026
-
The cafe’s signature coconut latte is a great way to beat the heat and a must for coconut lovers.—
Arundhati Hazra,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Pipes and sewers can be very dangerous for pets and wildlife and Roto-Rooter, with specialized equipment and personnel, has become a go-to call to save cats, dogs, turtles and more.—
Alexander Coolidge,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
7 Jan. 2026
-
In the year since its formation, the group has hosted two Christmas carols; held bi-weekly cleanups on Broadway; rallied residents to walk their dogs in the business corridor; weeded and placed new native plants at Promenade Park; encouraged the community to dine out on Broadway and more.—
Hannah Elsmore,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The skin care brand counts celebrities like Eva Mendes, Jessica Chastain, Laura Dern, and more as fans, plus countless beauty editors and their moms, too.—
Eva Thomas,
InStyle,
7 Jan. 2026
-
The return of Eggs in the Basket has also generated buzz among longtime fans.—
Peter Burke,
FOXNews.com,
7 Jan. 2026
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 Venezuelan president and his wife join Luigi Mangione, who faces state and federal charges in the December 2024 killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, as current denizens of the notorious jail.—
Nandika Chatterjee,
Time,
6 Jan. 2026
-
And all the while, digital denizens on both sides of the Atlantic are left to wonder if, and how, the international internet can be regulated at all.—
Rafi Schwartz,
TheWeek,
29 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Six Flags Magic Mountain will fill the summer, fall and winter seasons in 2026 with an entertaining mix of Superman and Harley Quinn, Oktoberfest beers and Bavarian pretzels, killer clowns and blood curdling screams and Santa Claus and faux snow.—
Brady MacDonald,
Oc Register,
31 Dec. 2025
-
There are articles about Frank Sinatra and Michael Jordan, royals and rock stars, cowboys and clowns.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
18 Dec. 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 12 Jan. 2026.
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