rattles 1 of 2

plural of rattle

rattles

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of rattle
1
as in clatters
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
4

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 rattles
Noun
Servants called flappers are required to shake rattles in their ears to keep them from falling or bumping into things. — Dónal Gill, The Dial, 8 Sep. 2026 Some financial experts are seeing warning signs ahead for stocks as bond market rattles. — Susan Tompor, Freep.com, 1 Sep. 2026 LightDesire Musical Caterpillar Tummy Time Toy From squeaking noises to baby rattles to teething toys, this music caterpillar contributes to a complete multi-sensory experience. — Bestreviews, Mercury News, 19 Aug. 2026 Owner complaints around the current-generation Tundra have included interior rattles and occasional trim or electronic issues. — Josh Max, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2026 Drummer Jay Russell kept to stark rattles, Sam Shipstone patched in his scratchy electric guitar, and Ryan Needham needled through grumbling basslines. — Victoria Borlando, Pitchfork, 24 July 2026 Jigs with rattles are most productive and a big, active trailer is the way to go in muddy water. — David A. Brown, Outdoor Life, 1 July 2026 The seeds are loose and clatter around inside the pods, giving baptisia the name rattleweed, as children once used the seedpods as rattles. — Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 12 May 2026 With dresses and intimate wear for women; jewelry; personal care products; men’s wallets; baby swaddles, stuffies, rattles and teething toys; dog leashes, collars and toys; greeting cards and a wide range of home decor, the store is drawing people in. — Sarah Kyrcz, Hartford Courant, 27 Apr. 2026
Verb
Fernandes then flicks the ball to his team-mate and Mainoo rattles the woodwork, with Anderson unable to block the shot. — Ahmed Walid, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026 All agree that police abuse of the ALPR system, such as in Milwaukee, rattles the public’s trust. — Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 26 July 2026 As Silicon Valley’s artificial intelligence boom powers America’s economy, rattles its job market, and shapes its national security priorities, political leaders are struggling for traction on how the government should seek to engage the technology, if at all. — Ben Smith, semafor.com, 8 June 2026 Israeli military warning rattles coastal city Israeli strikes over southern Lebanon continued, especially in and around the battered cities of Tyre and Nabatiyeh. — Kareem Chehayeb, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2026 Welcome to a Monday Nightcaps — the one where Paige Spiranac gears up for the PGA Championship with her mom and rattles America's cage. — Zach Dean Outkick, FOXNews.com, 11 May 2026 Fans will have to tune in next week to find out Andrea's fate — and see if her abduction rattles Kayce. — Julia Moore, PEOPLE, 20 Apr. 2026 The film rattles enough skeletons, both on screen and in the audience, to ensure that Cronin’s name will be remembered by genre heads with or without the titular reminder. — Guy Lodge, Variety, 16 Apr. 2026 The threat rattles Reef and prompts him to apologize to all the major figures from his past whom he's offended or hurt over the years. — Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rattles
Noun
  • Pella thermal pane windows were custom-designed to fit unconventionally sized frames and now help silence any potential noises from the neighborhood.
    — Richard Lane, Des Moines Register, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Once the inspection is complete, it should be followed by a road test to check for unusual noises, vibrations, or drivability concerns.
    — John Paul Senior Manager Public Affairs And Traffic Safety Aaa Northeast, Hartford Courant, 19 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Then, a mannequin clatters to the floor from the ceiling and breaks apart.
    — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 20 Nov. 2025
  • Deacon clatters off in his truck, leaving me to contemplate my new home.
    — Rowan Jacobsen, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Shuenemeyer regularly chats with other arborists from Maine to Washington, looking to identify and catalog historic varieties of apples.
    — Kevin Strong, CBS News, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Some of the German Telegram chats date back to at least 2020, court documents show.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 July 2026
Verb
  • Look for wildflowers and endemic fauna on the Tomales Point Trail, which rambles for nearly 10 miles on this special, skinny peninsula, delivering gorgeous, foggy views of the Pacific Ocean.
    — Chelsee Lowe, Travel + Leisure, 18 June 2026
  • 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
  • Or from locking up Mick Cronin through 2030, even though UCLA’s prickly basketball coach embarrasses the university annually and hasn’t reached a Sweet 16 since 2023.
    — Mirjam Swanson, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Now the technology embarrasses an umpire even more than a player could, and what’s the recourse?
    — Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 4 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Trains rumble behind the main stadiums, Arthur Ashe and Louis Armstrong, while planes approaching and departing from La Guardia Airport bring their stomach-churning roars.
    — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Exactly 60 years after Williams’ induction speech on the steps of the Hall of Fame, Baker walked into the Hall and was greeted by the loud roars of another Boston Red Sox legend, David Ortiz.
    — Jose de Jesus Ortiz, Los Angeles Times, 28 July 2026
Verb
  • Consider This host Juana Summers talks with ProPublica reporter Avi Asher-Schapiro about FBI records that point to a possible congressional pay-for-play scheme.
    — September 26, NPR, 26 Sep. 2026
  • The White House also arranged for an elaborate military review that the leaders and their spouses observed before the Oval Office talks.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 25 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Third place was Japanese director Sabu’s Arrested Memory, a crime caper about a detective with dementia who unwittingly wanders off with a multimillion-dollar ransom, sending cops and criminals on his trail.
    — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Perhaps most telling of all, Stone cuts the character of Carlotta, a governess born to circus performers who wanders through the play like a lost clown, origin-less, amused, and sad.
    — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Rattles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rattles. Accessed 30 Sep. 2026.

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