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.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
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
-
One of the agency’s informants attended the wedding, as a guest.—
Ed Caesar,
New Yorker,
20 Oct. 2025
-
Police learned in September that Garnett was selling meth and made several purchases of meth from Garnett using confidential informants, according to a probable cause affidavit.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
6 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The festival has expanded its footprint by bringing the neighboring Scottsdale Stadium into the mix while targeting a broader mix of music lovers with a more eclectic assortment of acts.—
Ed Masley,
AZCentral.com,
4 Nov. 2025
-
The Begent Art Ranch, owned by art lovers David and Molly Begent, has long served as the festival’s home.—
Regina Elling,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Humans have a much larger neocortex than other animals, relative to body size, and the species with the largest neocortices—elephants, dolphins, gorillas, chimpanzees, dogs—are among the most intelligent.—
James Somers,
New Yorker,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Humanoids, robotic dogs, and articulated arms don wigs, witch hats, and googly eyes, dancing under red and blue strobes.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Adoring fans wearing Dodger caps and jerseys and carrying signs screamed their approval as the buses went by.—
Steve Futterman,
NPR,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Los Angeles — Thousands of fans lined the streets of downtown Los Angeles for a second year in a row to celebrate another Dodgers’ World Series victory.—
Kevin Dotson,
CNN Money,
4 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
-
Senator Ed Markey warns that could lead to a new nuclear arms race.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
2 Nov. 2025
-
Stein warns against using a bagless vacuum, as the small baking soda particles will get into the motor and filter, causing damage to your vacuum.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
1 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rats.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rats. Accessed 9 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share