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.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Recent Examples of 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
The snakes can, however, lose their rattles or simply decide not to use them.
—
Don Sweeney
april 21,
Sacbee.com,
21 Apr. 2026
Cunningham’s Fisher-Price pianos and decrepit drums are unmistakable, as is Ciani’s Buchla, which whooshes and rattles like a steam engine barreling down the tracks.
—
Andrew Ryce,
Pitchfork,
9 Apr. 2026
Most people initially become aware of the reptiles by hearing their rattles, which the snakes use to try to scare off aggressors or to distract prey.
—
Gary Robbins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Mar. 2026
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
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
His comments come as consumer sentiment in the US continued to decline this month, hitting a record low as the ongoing closure of the Strait of Hormuz rattles global energy markets.
—
Mustafa Qadri,
CNN Money,
8 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
Emma’s shocking admission rattles the entire wedding party, particularly Haim’s Rachel, whose cousin was left paralyzed by an act of gun violence.
—
Chris Murphy,
Vanity Fair,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
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
The snakes can, however, lose their rattles or simply decide not to use them.
—
Don Sweeney
april 21,
Sacbee.com,
21 Apr. 2026
Cunningham’s Fisher-Price pianos and decrepit drums are unmistakable, as is Ciani’s Buchla, which whooshes and rattles like a steam engine barreling down the tracks.
—
Andrew Ryce,
Pitchfork,
9 Apr. 2026
Most people initially become aware of the reptiles by hearing their rattles, which the snakes use to try to scare off aggressors or to distract prey.
—
Gary Robbins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Mar. 2026
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
Verb
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
His comments come as consumer sentiment in the US continued to decline this month, hitting a record low as the ongoing closure of the Strait of Hormuz rattles global energy markets.
—
Mustafa Qadri,
CNN Money,
8 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
Emma’s shocking admission rattles the entire wedding party, particularly Haim’s Rachel, whose cousin was left paralyzed by an act of gun violence.
—
Chris Murphy,
Vanity Fair,
3 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rattles
Noun
-
The humming or reversing noises are universal, though the sounds used may vary depending on the manufacturer.
-
And each has its own distinct sound effects, engine and brake noises that match their real cars.
Verb
-
Then, a mannequin clatters to the floor from the ceiling and breaks apart.
-
Deacon clatters off in his truck, leaving me to contemplate my new home.
Verb
-
While Yahia chats with The Star, his daughter, Hannah, takes a tray of baklava out of the oven.
-
Inside the motel, Paula chats with Sky.
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.
-
Kachina rambles for 5 miles but the most vibrant color is found on the first half of the hike.
Verb
-
Graft inquiry embarrasses Zelensky Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office said in a Telegram announcement that the investigation into Yermak is ongoing.
-
Now the technology embarrasses an umpire even more than a player could, and what’s the recourse?
Noun
-
Johnson’s first budget made the CARE pilot permanent and doubled staff positions in 2024, to roars of approval from his progressive base.
-
The cheers and the roars reverberated around NRG Stadium.
Verb
-
Mary Molloy, Arrigo’s clinical director, talks me through biodynamic therapy.
-
Volvo's chief technology officer, Anders Bell, talks to his EX60 sport utility vehicle a lot.
Verb
-
The lagoon, which wanders almost the entire length of the garden, adds a swath of blue to this oasis of green.
-
In its most scenic moments, the train wanders along the island’s coastline and through rainforest, and sugar cane fields.
Cite this Entry
“Rattles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rattles. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.
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