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
Literary Hub, 28 Jan. 2026
Testing the powder on rats fed a high-sugar diet, the team found that brushing with BSCT for just one minute a day was enough to restore the rats' oral microbiome, reduce inflammation, and kill the bacteria that causes periodontitis.
—New Atlas, 27 Jan. 2026
Genetic intervention can restore the memory of elderly rats.
—Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
For the rats and squirrels, the only thing stopping them are physical barriers.
—Joan Morris, Mercury News, 26 Jan. 2026
What Scientists Knew—Until Now In 1971, neuroscientist John O'Keefe discovered a remarkable type of neuron in the hippocampus of rats—later known as place cells.
—Matt Emma, USA Today, 24 Jan. 2026
One study published in 2018 that is often cited by those concerned about a connection analyzed the impact of whole-body radio frequency radiation on rats at a frequency and modulations used by cell phones.
—Tingting Tan, EverydayHealth.com, 23 Jan. 2026
There Are About 20 Species of Hamsters Hamsters belong to the family Cricetidae, which includes voles and lemmings as well as rats and mice.
—Noel Kirkpatrick, Treehugger, 20 Jan. 2026
Emergency room staff cut the clothes off an unresponsive homeless man, and several rats leap from his body onto the floor.
—Jonathan Saltzman — Boston Globe, STAT, 20 Jan. 2026
Noun
The only animals Cook’s crew saw apart from wild birds were rats and chickens, both eaten.
—Literary Hub, 28 Jan. 2026
Testing the powder on rats fed a high-sugar diet, the team found that brushing with BSCT for just one minute a day was enough to restore the rats' oral microbiome, reduce inflammation, and kill the bacteria that causes periodontitis.
—New Atlas, 27 Jan. 2026
Genetic intervention can restore the memory of elderly rats.
—Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
For the rats and squirrels, the only thing stopping them are physical barriers.
—Joan Morris, Mercury News, 26 Jan. 2026
What Scientists Knew—Until Now In 1971, neuroscientist John O'Keefe discovered a remarkable type of neuron in the hippocampus of rats—later known as place cells.
—Matt Emma, USA Today, 24 Jan. 2026
One study published in 2018 that is often cited by those concerned about a connection analyzed the impact of whole-body radio frequency radiation on rats at a frequency and modulations used by cell phones.
—Tingting Tan, EverydayHealth.com, 23 Jan. 2026
There Are About 20 Species of Hamsters Hamsters belong to the family Cricetidae, which includes voles and lemmings as well as rats and mice.
—Noel Kirkpatrick, Treehugger, 20 Jan. 2026
Emergency room staff cut the clothes off an unresponsive homeless man, and several rats leap from his body onto the floor.
—Jonathan Saltzman — Boston Globe, STAT, 20 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
-
In 2022, Japanese researchers found that dogs produced tears when reuniting with their humans.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Ending the retail sales of dogs is a crucial way to reduce demand from puppy mills.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
And so every regime invests in having student informers.—
Anne Applebaum,
The Atlantic,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Security services also rely on informers to tell them who might be using Starlink, and search internet and social media traffic for signs it has been used.—
David Rising,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
John Stamos shared a dramatic new look with fans in an Instagram post on Tuesday, Jan 13.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
PEOPLE,
14 Jan. 2026
-
As to what exactly will be available for the fans to purchase, LA28 officials wouldn’t say on Tuesday.—
Scott M. Reid,
Oc Register,
14 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
-
Its sources include medieval chroniclers, eccentric antiquaries, and no doubt many denizens of the British Museum’s Reading Room.—
Hari Kunzru,
Harpers Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
-
The display is best viewed in the Northern Hemisphere, but Southern denizens should still be able to see several under dark skies.—
Michael d'Estries,
Travel + Leisure,
16 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
There are other quirky attractions here, too, like the Clown Motel, where horror enthusiasts can sleep among a collection of more than 6,500 clowns.—
Cailey Rizzo,
Travel + Leisure,
21 Jan. 2026
-
After his parents divorced, his mother took 5-year-old Salazar with her, moving from place to place around South America, and performing as clowns to make money.—
Lisa Deaderick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
17 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rats.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rats. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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