as in upset
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Dissimilar Words
1
as in clattered
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
as in chatted
to engage in casual or rambling conversation
busily rattling away about our vacation plans, we didn't listen to the announcements and missed our flight
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in rambled
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
as in embarrassed
to throw into a state of self-conscious distress
don't let a little mistake rattle you while you're playing during the piano recital
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Recent Examples of rattled
Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 9 Feb. 2026
As a result, Nvidia’s results next week could soothe some rattled nerves around tech, given that where the AI chipmaker goes, the stock market seems to go as well.
—Sarah Min, CNBC, 14 Nov. 2025
His praise came several months after some of the president's loudest supporters called Barrett squishy, a rattled law professor and a DEI hire for siding against the administration on one of the president’s many emergency appeals.
—Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 8 Sep. 2025
Olivia Gazis, CBS News, 14 Feb. 2026
His pursuit of ownership of Greenland, a Danish territory, has also rattled European leaders in recent months.
—Azhar Sukri, CNBC, 14 Feb. 2026
But everyone is rattled by her absence and what’s going on—and following the news closely.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 13 Feb. 2026
Anthropic, one of the more outspoken companies in the artificial intelligence space, rattled stocks with the seeming superpowers of its Claude chatbot, prompting a selloff across the software sector with potential obsolescence suddenly knocking at its door.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 9 Feb. 2026
The earthquake rattled at a depth of just 1 mile, with its epicenter about 5 miles west-northwest of Cobb.
—Ca Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 8 Feb. 2026
When players from the United States and Czechia whacked their sticks on the ice in unison during warmups, the sound rattled out like a shot.
—The Sports Desk, NBC news, 5 Feb. 2026
Iran abandoned planned nuclear talks with the US in Turkey and proposed limited negotiations in Oman instead, teeing up a tense back-and-forth with Washington that rattled traders Wednesday.
—J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 4 Feb. 2026
When this thing went off, every filling in my mouth rattled.
—Aaron Portzline, New York Times, 2 Feb. 2026
Adjective
Most importantly, Darnold didn’t make a mistake all night, while Maye seemed rattled and lost a fumble and threw a late interception.
—Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 9 Feb. 2026
As a result, Nvidia’s results next week could soothe some rattled nerves around tech, given that where the AI chipmaker goes, the stock market seems to go as well.
—Sarah Min, CNBC, 14 Nov. 2025
His praise came several months after some of the president's loudest supporters called Barrett squishy, a rattled law professor and a DEI hire for siding against the administration on one of the president’s many emergency appeals.
—Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
At last year's conference, Vice President JD Vance delivered a combative address that rattled European capitals and fueled fears of an accelerating trans-Atlantic split.
—Olivia Gazis, CBS News, 14 Feb. 2026
His pursuit of ownership of Greenland, a Danish territory, has also rattled European leaders in recent months.
—Azhar Sukri, CNBC, 14 Feb. 2026
But everyone is rattled by her absence and what’s going on—and following the news closely.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 13 Feb. 2026
Anthropic, one of the more outspoken companies in the artificial intelligence space, rattled stocks with the seeming superpowers of its Claude chatbot, prompting a selloff across the software sector with potential obsolescence suddenly knocking at its door.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 9 Feb. 2026
The earthquake rattled at a depth of just 1 mile, with its epicenter about 5 miles west-northwest of Cobb.
—Ca Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 8 Feb. 2026
When players from the United States and Czechia whacked their sticks on the ice in unison during warmups, the sound rattled out like a shot.
—The Sports Desk, NBC news, 5 Feb. 2026
Iran abandoned planned nuclear talks with the US in Turkey and proposed limited negotiations in Oman instead, teeing up a tense back-and-forth with Washington that rattled traders Wednesday.
—J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 4 Feb. 2026
When this thing went off, every filling in my mouth rattled.
—Aaron Portzline, New York Times, 2 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rattled
Adjective
-
SpaceX said on its launch page that residents in Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo and Ventura counties might experience one or more sonic booms during the launch, a phenomenon that has long upset residents and raised concerns about the booms’ effect on nearby endangered species.—
Jaclyn Cosgrove,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Littler added that his girlfriend would often get upset when her father talked about owning a gun.—
Saul Pink,
San Antonio Express-News,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Zinc roofs clattered lightly against each other in the wind, the only sound in the village.—
Pelumi Salako,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2026
-
The yelps and chatter of a nursery school recess clattered down from a small hill overlooking the scene.—
Matthew Futterman,
New York Times,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Actress Jamie Chung chatted with García over servings of Sichuan cucumber salad.—
Erin Vanderhoof,
Vanity Fair,
12 Feb. 2026
-
Joy Behar chatted with People in a new interview published on February 10.—
Hannah Malach,
InStyle,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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One day in July, Mitchell rambled about his mother’s house when Smart blurted out that Wright lived in the same neighborhood.—
Stephanie Nolasco,
FOXNews.com,
24 Jan. 2026
-
Drew Mestemaker threw for 366 yards and three touchdowns while Caleb Hawkins rambled for 186 yards and four scores on 25 carries.—
Ben Verbrugge,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Dec. 2025
Verb
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The case has deeply embarrassed the royal family, especially his mother, who suffers from an incurable lung illness and who is torn between her role as mother and future queen.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Their votes sunk Belichick’s chances and embarrassed the Hall of Fame in the process.—
Rob Maaddi,
Twin Cities,
28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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If the analytics don’t get you hot and bothered, though, don’t worry, because there are plenty more storylines headed into Sunday’s game.—
Rohan Nadkarni,
NBC news,
25 Jan. 2026
-
Those most bothered being Hispanic Americans.—
Douglas Mackinnon,
Boston Herald,
20 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Skip the flowers The CFP talked a big game about updating the methodology used to select the 12 participants in the 2025 field.—
David Eckert,
Austin American Statesman,
11 Feb. 2026
-
The new manager and the pitcher had lunch and talked baseball.—
Evan Grant,
Dallas Morning News,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Afterward, as the home stood unguarded, reporters, photographers and others wandered the property, walking to the front door and capturing video of blood drops along the porch.—
Hannah Fry,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Sun Ra’s intro wandered, appealingly arrhythmic.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rattled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rattled. Accessed 18 Feb. 2026.
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