rattle 1 of 2

rattle

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verb

1
as in to clatter
to make a series of short sharp noises the children tromped through the kitchen, making the plates on the shelf rattle

Synonyms & Similar Words

2
3
as in to ramble
to talk at length without sticking to a topic or getting to a point she rattled on and on about all her European shopping trips, but I wasn't really listening

Synonyms & Similar Words

4

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb rattle contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of rattle are abash, discomfit, disconcert, and embarrass. While all these words mean "to distress by confusing or confounding," rattle implies an agitation that impairs thought and judgment.

rattled by all the television cameras

When might abash be a better fit than rattle?

Although the words abash and rattle have much in common, abash presupposes some initial self-confidence that receives a sudden check, producing shyness, shame, or a feeling of inferiority.

abashed by her swift and cutting retort

When could discomfit be used to replace rattle?

While in some cases nearly identical to rattle, discomfit implies a hampering or frustrating accompanied by confusion.

hecklers discomfited the speaker

When is disconcert a more appropriate choice than rattle?

The words disconcert and rattle are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, disconcert implies an upsetting of equanimity or assurance producing uncertainty or hesitancy.

disconcerted by finding so many in attendance

When would embarrass be a good substitute for rattle?

In some situations, the words embarrass and rattle are roughly equivalent. However, embarrass implies some influence that impedes thought, speech, or action.

the question embarrassed her so much she couldn't answer

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 rattle
Noun
Baby rattlesnakes don’t have rattles, and adult snakes’ rattles occasionally break off, according to the National Park Service. Sacbee.com, 28 Aug. 2025 The large, heavy-bodied snake has a large triangular head, vertical pupils and a rattle. Kirsten Fiscus, USA Today, 14 Aug. 2025
Verb
Senate Republicans are preparing a new package to support Ukraine’s defense and polling that shows support for this move gives lawmakers political cover, as a decision over whether to provide Kyiv with Tomahawk missiles rattles Kremlin propagandists. Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025 The earthquake rattled at a depth of 8 miles, with its epicenter roughly 8 miles southeast of Petrolia. Ca Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 13 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for rattle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rattle
Noun
  • Anchored by Syracuse University, the city hums with youthful spirit, from buzzy Marshall Street to the roar of the JMA Wireless Dome, where Orange basketball games regularly draw some of the largest crowds in college hoops.
    Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 19 Oct. 2025
  • The only noise was the roar of the crowd when Cole Sullivan and Jimmy Rolder intercepted passes on back-to-back drives, or when Bryce Underwood rolled out and found a wide-open Zack Marshall in the end zone.
    Austin Meek, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • There are up to 20,000 rabid people raining down their emotions from all angles, a dozen sticks clattering, two dozen skates carving, all those burly bodies bumping into each other and banging into the boards, plus an endless stream of screaming and grunting and cursing.
    Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
  • Andy clattered up the hill through the brush and pulled to a halt.
    Bob Cary, Outdoor Life, 15 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Amid all the fanfare, the SKIMS founder had a chance to chat with Variety on the carpet and admitted that going incognito was a last minute decision that her makeup artist wasn't so pleased about.
    Michelle Lee, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025
  • With all that, and more to come, including the final selections and programming categories of world premieres and more, Hernandez chatted with me about what Sundance is planning for 2026, the loss of Bob Redford, and what’s in store for the big move to Boulder, CO for the 2027 festival.
    Dominic Patten, Deadline, 21 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Mitchell Summers rambled for 250 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries, including an 80-yard score, while Jack Snyder threw for 147 yards and a TD while picking up 68 yards on the ground.
    Kilty Cleary, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Oct. 2025
  • Kachina rambles for 5 miles but the most vibrant color is found on the first half of the hike.
    Roger Naylor, AZCentral.com, 10 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The Bears lost this matchup in embarrassing fashion last year as the Commanders completed a Hail Mary with time expiring.
    Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
  • The games themselves are embarrassing enough to watch.
    Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • First, despite tabloid headlines about Leto, such noise doesn’t factor into moviegoers’ decisions to buy or not buy a ticket; it could be argued most were not even in the know of the June Air Mail exposé on his alleged behavior.
    Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 20 Oct. 2025
  • The outlet reported that noise from the construction was also audible on the White House's campus.
    Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 20 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Kelce talked Wednesday about the good vibes in the Chiefs facility on the latest episode of the New Heights podcast.
    Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 15 Oct. 2025
  • The crows are back, talking to the dog again, and the other birds are singing in the trees.
    Joële Walinga, IndieWire, 15 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • From wandering rare palm forests to navigating ancient waterways and spotting hundreds of migrating bird species, outdoor enthusiasts have much to explore.
    Gabi De la Rosa, Southern Living, 15 Oct. 2025
  • Sometimes, it was described as fantastical, depicting unrealistic and strange juxtapositions, as though the black people in his paintings had wandered into a genre or set of conditions totally discordant with what the viewer considered their actual reality.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Rattle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rattle. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.

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