as in noises
loud, confused, and usually inharmonious sound
I'd go nuts if I had to endure the rattle of that bottling plant every day
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
2
as in chats
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 rambles
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 embarrasses
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 21 Feb. 2026
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
Amy Lawrence, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2026
The device, which clamps onto the line just above the hook and pairs zinc and graphite in seawater, creates a small electric field about the size of a beachball around the hook, and rattles approaching sharks.
—Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 6 Feb. 2026
This ghost rattles industrial hoses and temporarily melds with an air purifier.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2026
Continue reading … SOUND OF MADNESS – Mystery hum rattles American city as residents report sleepless nights and rising fear.
—FOXNews.com, 23 Jan. 2026
In the videos, which are still streaming on the servers of the New York Times, the incessant Israeli bombing rattles the viewer’s nerves through the immediacy of our screens.
—Max Weiss, Literary Hub, 14 Jan. 2026
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
Noun
If your current carry-on rattles, tips, or barely survives a weekend away, consider this your sign.
—Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 21 Feb. 2026
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
Arteta is making a strong show of maintaining his composure while the noise outside rattles the windows.
—Amy Lawrence, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2026
The device, which clamps onto the line just above the hook and pairs zinc and graphite in seawater, creates a small electric field about the size of a beachball around the hook, and rattles approaching sharks.
—Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 6 Feb. 2026
This ghost rattles industrial hoses and temporarily melds with an air purifier.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2026
Continue reading … SOUND OF MADNESS – Mystery hum rattles American city as residents report sleepless nights and rising fear.
—FOXNews.com, 23 Jan. 2026
In the videos, which are still streaming on the servers of the New York Times, the incessant Israeli bombing rattles the viewer’s nerves through the immediacy of our screens.
—Max Weiss, Literary Hub, 14 Jan. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rattles
Noun
-
The Beats Studio Pro headphones truly block out any distracting noises, allowing wearers to connect to in-flight entertainment comfortably and sleep without interruption.—
Kristy Alpert,
Travel + Leisure,
25 Feb. 2026
-
Connecticut, while not seismically active, does have one area around the southeastern town of Moodus that gets tiny earthquakes (as well as noises that seem to accompany them).—
Jan Ellen Spiegel,
Hartford Courant,
23 Feb. 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
-
Jarrett frequently appears in her videos, including sit-down Q&A chats the couple films together.—
Samantha Stutsman,
PEOPLE,
25 Jan. 2026
-
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
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
-
Their team might need the firmer assessment that challenges pride and even embarrasses, then the next year's group might need a lighter touch.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
18 Feb. 2026
-
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
Noun
-
Could Jacob Bridgeman hear the roars for Rory McIlroy’s 30-foot make and still finish?—
Brody Miller,
New York Times,
23 Feb. 2026
-
The roars were back at the Riv on Thursday … and so was the rain.—
Steve Galluzzo,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Midwife Meghan Nowland talks with patient Annie Vowell during an appointment at the Cincinnati Birth Center.—
Aria Bendix,
NBC news,
26 Feb. 2026
-
Rizo, on the other hand, talks a huge game, wants to make big moves, and pulls stunts with fake immunity idols at Tribal.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The permit allows the ranchers to kill any wolf who wanders onto private land on two grazing allotments near the Gila National Forest in Catron County, as well as on federal land within the allotments, if the wolf is actively hurting livestock.—
Sarah Henry,
AZCentral.com,
26 Feb. 2026
-
In Virgil’s epic, Aeneas wanders after the fall of Troy, searching for a new homeland.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
21 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rattles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rattles. Accessed 3 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
