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
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Iran’s president said the US blockade on Iranian ports remains a major obstacle to talks.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
23 Apr. 2026 -
Indeed, as advertised, Raye talks to the audience so much — and is so warm and hilarious — that her banter is a show in itself.—
Jem Aswad,
Variety,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
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There are 15 overall child care deserts out of 74 ZIP codes in Tarrant, and 40% of those deserts are considered to be chronic.—
Lina Ruiz
April 16,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Sean, 17, deserts his post in the midst of the Iraq war and returns to England.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
5 Dec. 2025
Verb
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In an oppositional reading, the reader understands the dominant ideology expressed in the text but rejects it and interprets the text in an alternative way.—
Shepherd Mpofu,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
27 Apr. 2026
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And with its bare Instagram presence, Antigone rejects polish for rawness, allowing the strength of its curation to speak for itself.—
Kat Chen,
Condé Nast Traveler,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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What to read next The USSR withdraws troops from the border with Afghanistan, as Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev abandons invasion plans to focus his resources on the Space Race.—
Richard Edwards,
Space.com,
17 Apr. 2026
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God abandons the human race and lets people live out their days as the animal of their choice.—
Mariella Rudi,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Several of its designers previously worked on major projects such as Aman Tokyo and The Chedi Andermatt; experience that informs the team’s warm, Asian-leaning minimalism.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
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Since then, Tanshi has set up a major wildfire monitoring and prevention system that informs locals what days are safe for burning land, which is necessary to clear bush for farming.—
Paige Bruton,
semafor.com,
22 Apr. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Rats (on).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rats%20%28on%29. Accessed 30 Apr. 2026.
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