rattling 1 of 3

Definition of rattlingnext

rattling

2 of 3

adverb

rattling

3 of 3

verb

present participle of rattle
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
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 rattling
Adjective
With all these features and a unique design that eliminates all the rattling and imprecise grips of conventional wrenches, this tool could find frequent use in your workshop. New Atlas, 18 May 2026 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
High yields worldwide have been rattling investors after oil prices burst above $100 per barrel because of the war. Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2026 Now, with aftershocks still rattling damaged cities and thousands of people displaced, some analysts warn the government’s handling of the disaster may be accelerating public disillusionment with the Chavista power structure. Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 29 June 2026 More than three days on, with aftershocks still rattling the region, the window to find survivors is quickly closing. Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 29 June 2026 The 10 tracks of Ton Up are at once his briskest and heaviest yet, miniaturizing his trademark loops of Dillafied psychedelia into speaker-rattling sample snippets that bombard uptempo house beats in dizzying volleys. Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 26 June 2026 Spot rates have been soaring consistently since the start of the war in Iran in late February, which sent traffic the Strait of Hormuz to a near-standstill in the following months, rattling energy markets. Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 25 June 2026 Brie Leon and her colleagues had just opened Club Calpella Restaurant when the building started shaking, rattling plates and liquor bottles. ABC News, 24 June 2026 Beringer is already showing promise with rim-rattling dunks in scrimmages. Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 23 June 2026 Considering the intangibles Braun brings, which includes getting the fans involved following his athletic, rim-rattling slam dunks, the team may avoid any temptation to trade Braun just to gain relief from his salary. Gary Bedore june 18, Kansas City Star, 18 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rattling
Adjective
  • Earthquakes' sudden, rapid shaking can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides or avalanches.
    CA Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 30 June 2026
  • At the heart of the clash is how to manage wild horse populations that can reproduce at a rapid clip.
    Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026
Adverb
  • That restraint also challenges the idea that sauvignon blanc must be extremely aromatic to be recognizable.
    Devin Parr, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
  • Superconductors can carry electricity with zero resistance, but only at extremely low temperatures.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 30 June 2026
Verb
  • Below them, clattering on a dozen parallel tracks, the trains were coming and going, arriving and departing, thundering underground.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 June 2026
  • Skeletor is all pixels with a clattering jaw perfect for chewing the scenery.
    Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2026
Verb
  • Lena Dunham was spotted poking her head out of a backseat window and chatting with someone redirecting traffic, while her ex, a suited Jack Antonoff, and his sister, fashion designer Rachel Antonoff, were also seen walking up to MSG.
    Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 3 July 2026
  • While chatting with the NFL brothers, Jason posed a tongue-in-cheek question to the Prince of Wales.
    Erin Hill, PEOPLE, 3 July 2026
Verb
  • 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
  • The moms aren’t embarrassing their kids.
    Michelle Sobel, Fortune, 23 June 2026
  • Several other policy changes led to blowback from the public and Starmer was forced to make a series of embarrassing U-turns that provided political capital for opponents and fed beliefs that the prime minister didn’t stand for much.
    ABC News, ABC News, 23 June 2026
Adjective
  • Studies show that orgasms also relieve menstrual pain, lower blood pressure, enhance circulation, correlate with better cardiac functioning, and burn calories equivalent to thirty minutes of brisk walking.
    Melanie Thernstrom, New Yorker, 29 June 2026
  • The glacier carts and kiosks that dish out ice cream, soft serve and sorbets did brisk business all week.
    Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 27 June 2026
Adverb
  • Despite consuming mass quantities of high-calorie foods during competition season, most professional competitive eaters are very lean.
    Jennifer Borresen, USA Today, 3 July 2026
  • Music icon Taylor Swift and football star Travis Kelce, who announced their engagement in August 2025, are anticipated to tie the knot very soon.
    Brendan Le, PEOPLE, 3 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Rattling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rattling. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.

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