1
as in splits (on)
to give information (as to the authorities) about another's improper or unlawful activities
how much—or how little—did the fuzz have to pay you to rat on us?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in defects (from)
to leave (a cause or party) often in order to take up another
many party operatives ratted on the senator's candidacy once her poll numbers started to slip
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rats (on)
Verb
-
Here, Morris talks to Deadline about digging deep to tell a personal and triumphant story about facing your fears.—
Destiny Jackson,
Deadline,
12 Jan. 2026 -
Ahead of the film’s release on February 13, on the cusp of Valentine’s Day, Durran gives Vogue an exclusive closer look at her incredible work and some of the images on her mood board, and talks us through the most important looks.—
Radhika Seth,
Vogue,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Sean, 17, deserts his post in the midst of the Iraq war and returns to England.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
5 Dec. 2025
-
Based on the graphic novel of the same name by Isabel Greenberg, the upcoming adaptation follows a young bride named Cherry (scream queen Maika Monroe), whose husband (Amir El-Masry) deserts her in the care of the sexy Manfred (Nicholas Galitzine) and her maid, Hero (Emma Corrin).—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Judge rejects diversion program In November, Yolo Superior Court Judge Paul Richardson rejected Trauernicht’s request to suspend his case and admit him into a mental health diversion program.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
10 Jan. 2026
-
But Schelling rejects the idea that working in a shop is settling.—
Orianna Rosa Royle,
Fortune,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Edward cruelly abandons his wife to pursue a wealthy and high-status noblewoman (Bella Heathcote).—
Robert Lang,
Deadline,
27 Dec. 2025
-
Using three boundaries to solve the problem The new study abandons the idea of a purely passive shell.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
The contract also reportedly contains a term stating that the school doesn’t have to enter him into the NCAA transfer portal; ordinarily, a school is obligated under NCAA rules to enter an athlete’s name once the athlete informs the school of their intent to transfer.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
8 Jan. 2026
-
At the heart of this book is unfathomable sorrow that shapes the trajectory of all of her relationships and informs her actions and inactions.—
Shruti Mutalik,
Baltimore Sun,
7 Jan. 2026
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.
Cite this Entry
“Rats (on).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rats%20%28on%29. Accessed 14 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share