rattles 1 of 2

Definition of rattlesnext
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

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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
Silver engraving, masks, totem poles, rattles, prints. Kerry Breen, CBS News, 16 Dec. 2025 Cutlery, rattles and cups are among the most popular choices as keepsake gifts for newborns. Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025 Think things like rattles, balls, activity gyms, and more. Kimberly Zapata, Parents, 2 Oct. 2025 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 lack of an internal-combustion engine means that any EV manufacturer needs to solve for additional NVH (noise, vibration, and harshness), so RBW went down the rabbit hole chasing creaks and rattles. Michael Teo Van Runkle, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025 No weird rattles or vibrations. Adam Iscoe, New Yorker, 4 Aug. 2025
Verb
His return rattles a household that has learned how to function without him, especially his wife Astoria, played with quiet resolve by Simone Missick. Okla Jones, Essence, 14 Dec. 2025 Advertisement The tragedy that befalls Robert rattles his faith in everything. Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 21 Nov. 2025 First, her ticking watch rattles Cammie during a call from a mother whose child is trapped in the washing machine. Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Nov. 2025 The statement rattles Abbott enough to let his guard down, which is how Nile gets to be on top of him, bludgeoning his head with the back of Abbott’s own gun after strangling him. Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 13 Nov. 2025 Each new round of tariffs rattles markets and makes investors more nervous about what the White House might do next. Veronique De Rugy, Oc Register, 17 Oct. 2025 The first is an earthquake that rattles the house into disarray. Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 16 Oct. 2025 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 So, there are different levels of types of activity, but some of the more common signs include, for example, a door that rattles and there's not a breeze or something causing it. Maggie Menderski, Louisville Courier Journal, 10 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rattles
Noun
  • Grohl screamed, screeched and ran all around the stage, the guitars filled the arena with feedback noises, and the band hosted a temple of rock worship.
    Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 15 Jan. 2026
  • Residents and homeowners in Bristol have had a campaign to stop low-frequency noises from the Reworld trash incinerator.
    Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 15 Jan. 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
  • Host Mary Louise Kelly chats with national security correspondent Greg Myre and books and culture reporter Andrew Limbong about some of their favorite books and authors in the world of espionage fiction.
    December 29, NPR, 29 Dec. 2025
  • Jason Bateman chats with David Letterman at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles for a new episode of My Next Guest Needs No Introduction.
    Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 21 Dec. 2025
Verb
  • 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
  • The residence rambles over more than 14,500 square feet with 13 bedrooms and nine and a half baths.
    Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 16 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Maia and her boyfriend Dylan (Josh Hustcherson) are on the outs after Maia completely embarrasses herself at Dylan’s game night with his co-workers.
    Katie Campione, Deadline, 21 Dec. 2025
  • There, the father of the bride gets too drunk and embarrasses himself.
    Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Dec. 2025
Noun
  • The people want to see Varang’s fierce roars!
    Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 3 Jan. 2026
  • White then nailed a step back 3, drawing more roars, and Jones hit a reverse layup.
    CBS News, CBS News, 27 Dec. 2025
Verb
  • Ahead, the star talks all things Bridgerton season 4 and beyond.
    Emily Kelleher, InStyle, 15 Jan. 2026
  • In Finland, talks with the domestic defense industry and anti-personnel land mine training for military personnel will start early this year.
    Reuters, NBC news, 14 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Where is that strange, clueless child who wanders from cause to cause, Greta Thunberg?
    Bobby Zirkin, Baltimore Sun, 8 Jan. 2026
  • Matt, the dad, wanders off to the kitchen.
    Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 22 Dec. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Rattles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rattles. Accessed 22 Jan. 2026.

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