as in rapid
moving, proceeding, or acting with great speed
we drove off at a rattling pace
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in extremely
to a great degree
a rattling good storyteller
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in clattering
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 chatting
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 rambling
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 embarrassing
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
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Recent Examples of rattling
Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 22 Apr. 2026
Their play is a symphony of cheers and swishes, conversation and laughter, dribbling balls and rattling rims.
—Chris John Amorosino, Hartford Courant, 13 Mar. 2026
But others, where relentless, shelter-soaking rain is the aggressor, are no less vivid and terrifying, amplified by the rattling, percussive intensity of extraordinary sound design by Lena Esquenazi, Valeria Mancheva and Antonio Porem.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 22 Feb. 2026
Other than visible dirt and dust, signs that your bathroom exhaust fan needs cleaning includes a rattling or buzzing sound, reduced airflow, or excess moisture along the walls.
—Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 11 Dec. 2025
Here a number of the emigrants who arrived late were stowed away on a rattling floor of cane, covered with hides.
—Gary Kamiya, SFChronicle.com, 2 Oct. 2020
Jon Gambrell, Fortune, 10 May 2026
Fatu shockingly kicked out at two to a roof-rattling reaction.
—Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 10 May 2026
Ukraine’s long-range attacks deep inside Russia are rattling the Kremlin.
—ABC News, 8 May 2026
Leading figures in the shipping industry told NBC News that until there is a long-term deal to end the uncertainty backed by specific guarantees, the traffic jam rattling the global economy will not be resolved.
—Yuliya Talmazan, NBC news, 6 May 2026
London — Two Jewish men were stabbed in broad daylight in a leafy suburb of north London on Wednesday in what police described as a terrorist incident, further rattling a Jewish community already reeling from a series of antisemitic attacks in the British capital.
—Jomana Karadsheh, CNN Money, 29 Apr. 2026
That includes the stories behind the backboard-rattling dunks and blocks on the basketball court.
—Tracy Kimball, Charlotte Observer, 29 Apr. 2026
But then, after weeks of saber rattling, the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran.
—Bella Bromberg, ARTnews.com, 21 Apr. 2026
Teen takeovers are rattling Washington DC, as a string of large, unsupervised gatherings this spring has led to disruptions, police responses and growing concern among city leaders.
—Mike Stunson, USA Today, 16 Apr. 2026
Adjective
And then there’s Bottner’s singing voice; from the deepest corner of his lungs comes a commanding bellow with a low, rattling timbre, like a cross between Bill Callahan and Jason Molina.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 22 Apr. 2026
Their play is a symphony of cheers and swishes, conversation and laughter, dribbling balls and rattling rims.
—Chris John Amorosino, Hartford Courant, 13 Mar. 2026
But others, where relentless, shelter-soaking rain is the aggressor, are no less vivid and terrifying, amplified by the rattling, percussive intensity of extraordinary sound design by Lena Esquenazi, Valeria Mancheva and Antonio Porem.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 22 Feb. 2026
Other than visible dirt and dust, signs that your bathroom exhaust fan needs cleaning includes a rattling or buzzing sound, reduced airflow, or excess moisture along the walls.
—Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 11 Dec. 2025
Here a number of the emigrants who arrived late were stowed away on a rattling floor of cane, covered with hides.
—Gary Kamiya, SFChronicle.com, 2 Oct. 2020
Verb
Iran has largely blocked the strategic waterway that’s key to the global flow of oil, natural gas and fertilizer since the war began, rattling world markets.
—Jon Gambrell, Fortune, 10 May 2026
Fatu shockingly kicked out at two to a roof-rattling reaction.
—Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 10 May 2026
Ukraine’s long-range attacks deep inside Russia are rattling the Kremlin.
—ABC News, 8 May 2026
Leading figures in the shipping industry told NBC News that until there is a long-term deal to end the uncertainty backed by specific guarantees, the traffic jam rattling the global economy will not be resolved.
—Yuliya Talmazan, NBC news, 6 May 2026
London — Two Jewish men were stabbed in broad daylight in a leafy suburb of north London on Wednesday in what police described as a terrorist incident, further rattling a Jewish community already reeling from a series of antisemitic attacks in the British capital.
—Jomana Karadsheh, CNN Money, 29 Apr. 2026
That includes the stories behind the backboard-rattling dunks and blocks on the basketball court.
—Tracy Kimball, Charlotte Observer, 29 Apr. 2026
But then, after weeks of saber rattling, the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran.
—Bella Bromberg, ARTnews.com, 21 Apr. 2026
Teen takeovers are rattling Washington DC, as a string of large, unsupervised gatherings this spring has led to disruptions, police responses and growing concern among city leaders.
—Mike Stunson, USA Today, 16 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rattling
Adjective
-
For instance, researchers found that rapid urbanization and electrification across Asia drove brightening in cities from China to India to Sub-Saharan Africa.—
Bree Shirvell,
Hartford Courant,
12 May 2026
-
Earthquakes' sudden, rapid shaking can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides or avalanches.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
11 May 2026
Adverb
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But even Black athletes whose athleticism gifted them an extremely exclusive express lane in life can tell you stories about growing up a minority in America, or tales their parents or grandparents have told.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
14 May 2026
-
The theory of quantum electrodynamics (QED) suggests that when light at extremely high intensities interacts with the vacuum, it can be converted into matter.—
Ameya Paleja,
Interesting Engineering,
14 May 2026
Verb
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That can mean a cycle of scraping chairs, rolling carts, and clattering equipment at times when most passengers expect quiet.—
David Nikel,
Forbes.com,
10 May 2026
-
The boom bap volume had been turned to LOUD, the crowd had mobbed every roof, railing and bit of space with even an inch of a view of the ramps, and with every cool trick came the thundering sound of skateboards clattering on the deck in approval from fellow skaters.—
Tony Le Calvez,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 May 2026
Verb
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Inside the bus, students — ever the teenage archetype — were napping, chatting and stretching.—
Jake Goodrick,
Sacbee.com,
9 May 2026
-
Friends Josh Horowitz and Stanley Tucci grab a picture at the 92NY in New York City after chatting about The Devil Wears Prada 2 and Tucci in Italy on May 5.—
People Staff,
PEOPLE,
9 May 2026
Verb
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Throughout the latter two videos, Ivey spoke to the camera while driving his car and rambling through various evangelical talking points.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Mar. 2026
-
This rambling 1,200-acre Southern California ranch has both and much more, plus a supremely private and scenic locale on the outskirts of the historic community of San Juan Capistrano.—
Wendy Bowman,
Robb Report,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Lutnick's voluntary closed-door interview comes amid a monthslong procession of powerful people summoned before the committee, many of whom have been subjected to embarrassing revelations in the more than 3 million pages of records known as the Epstein files.—
Graham Kates,
CBS News,
6 May 2026
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The Game 4 defeat – the no-silver-lining, embarrassing 6-1 loss – left a particularly rancid taste in everyone’s mouth.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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If your cardiorespiratory fitness could use a boost, Gavino said a wide range of physical activities can help, including aerobic activities like brisk walking, cycling, swimming, and interval training.—
Sarah Garone,
Health,
13 May 2026
-
Even a 10-minute brisk walk or a 30-minute gardening session can have benefits.—
Sarah Bence,
Verywell Health,
13 May 2026
Adverb
-
But Justin is very different from book to screen.—
Jennifer McClellan,
USA Today,
17 May 2026
-
In isolation, Liverpool’s summer 2025 business was very good, but there are so many mitigating factors to consider.—
Carl Anka,
New York Times,
17 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rattling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rattling. Accessed 17 May. 2026.
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