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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of rats
Gina Kalsi,
PEOPLE,
22 June 2026
Someone says the rats are actually cute — what’s your honest response?
—
Zach Schiffman,
Curbed,
19 June 2026
Residents in Rostraver Township, Westmoreland County, said rats are still running rampant through their neighborhood.
—
Erika Stanish,
CBS News,
18 June 2026
Health partners report widespread proliferation of rats, cockroaches, flies, lice and bedbugs, further increasing the risks of communicable disease transmission.
—
Sarah Ferguson,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
Leptospirosis is commonly carried by rats globally; while cases among people are rare, the bacterial disease can be transmitted to humans through the urine of an infected rat.
—
Jason Green,
Mercury News,
11 June 2026
For outdoor enthusiasts and river rats, there’s perhaps no better destination in the region.
—
Jill Robbins,
Travel + Leisure,
11 June 2026
Using too much will attract rats, mice, roaches, and other pests.
—
Michelle Mastro,
Martha Stewart,
7 June 2026
Noun
Hantavirus is an infectious disease that's normally spread through contact with rodents such as deer mice, cotton rats, rice rats and the white-footed mouse.
—
Gina Kalsi,
PEOPLE,
22 June 2026
Someone says the rats are actually cute — what’s your honest response?
—
Zach Schiffman,
Curbed,
19 June 2026
Residents in Rostraver Township, Westmoreland County, said rats are still running rampant through their neighborhood.
—
Erika Stanish,
CBS News,
18 June 2026
Health partners report widespread proliferation of rats, cockroaches, flies, lice and bedbugs, further increasing the risks of communicable disease transmission.
—
Sarah Ferguson,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
Leptospirosis is commonly carried by rats globally; while cases among people are rare, the bacterial disease can be transmitted to humans through the urine of an infected rat.
—
Jason Green,
Mercury News,
11 June 2026
For outdoor enthusiasts and river rats, there’s perhaps no better destination in the region.
—
Jill Robbins,
Travel + Leisure,
11 June 2026
Using too much will attract rats, mice, roaches, and other pests.
—
Michelle Mastro,
Martha Stewart,
7 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rats
Noun
-
More recently, the Department of Justice charged the Southern Poverty Law Center — a civil rights nonprofit accused by Republicans of targeting conservatives in its work tracking extremists — with defrauding donors through payments to informants.
-
Jordan cited accusations that paid informants associated with the organization’s former field-source program encouraged participation in extremist events while working undercover inside hate groups.
Noun
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AIs will be our friends, our confidants, our therapists, our doctors, our employees, our business partners—and yes, in many cases, our romantic partners and lovers.
-
And now the opportunity to get to travel to them with other fans, with other book lovers, just too good to pass up.
Noun
-
In addition, Milk-Bone is hosting a rooftop screening and intergalactic rest-stop for Dogs in NYC for famous dogs and their owners, as well as press and influencers.
-
Short-muzzle breeds like pugs and bull dogs are at higher risk of heat stroke, as are older dogs, overweight dogs and dogs with medical conditions, according to Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine.
Verb
-
The letter warns that those credits are now at risk of expiring, and argues that they should be made refundable or transferable.
-
Trump warns of ‘bedlam’ if no deal US officials have stressed that the framework is performance-based and that Iran’s new ability to sell oil could get rolled back if negotiations aren’t productive.
Noun
-
One of State Security’s main goals, as well as a central source of its strength, is turning civilians into informers.
-
And so every regime invests in having student informers.
Noun
-
For starters, bright colors inject visibility – not merely for players looking to find each other amid the chaos of a World Cup match, but also for brands looking to draw the gazes of millions of onlooking fans towards their logo.
-
And now the opportunity to get to travel to them with other fans, with other book lovers, just too good to pass up.
Noun
-
The island village is beset by sea hags, serial killers, creepy clowns and other evils that interfere with Tom’s dream of turning Widow’s Bay into a Martha’s Vineyard-like tourist destination.
-
Bunch of virtue signaling clowns!
Verb
-
That philosophy informs the running brand’s product strategy, messaging and partnerships.
-
Yet the past always informs the present.
Cite this Entry
“Rats.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rats. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.
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