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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of rattling
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
ABC News, 12 Apr. 2026
James quickly went by a defender on a back-door cut, took a pass from Luke Kennard and threw down a two-handed, rim-rattling dunk.
—Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2026
The title was a nod to the rattling sound produced by the mystery artifact.
—Howard Halle, ARTnews.com, 10 Apr. 2026
That longstanding connection could insulate Orbán from some of the anti-Trump blowback rattling the rest of Europe, but that’s not guaranteed, said Charles Kupchan, a professor of international relations at Georgetown University and a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations.
—Nicholas Riccardi, Fortune, 9 Apr. 2026
The suspension-rattling pavement.
—Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 8 Apr. 2026
After weeks of war rattling supply chains, some businesses are beginning to pass along higher costs to consumers with sneaky — and not-so-sneaky — price hikes.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 7 Apr. 2026
The 6-foot-2 Strong — AP’s Player of the Year — was bothered by South Carolina’s interior size, with several of her inside shots rattling in and out.
—David Brandt, Chicago Tribune, 4 Apr. 2026
Since strikes began in February, Iran has blocked tanker traffic through the strait, sending global energy prices surging and rattling financial markets.
—Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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
After boarding near the Havana Bay Tunnel in Old Havana, passengers endure a rattling journey through the darkness of the underwater passage.
—ABC News, 12 Apr. 2026
James quickly went by a defender on a back-door cut, took a pass from Luke Kennard and threw down a two-handed, rim-rattling dunk.
—Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2026
The title was a nod to the rattling sound produced by the mystery artifact.
—Howard Halle, ARTnews.com, 10 Apr. 2026
That longstanding connection could insulate Orbán from some of the anti-Trump blowback rattling the rest of Europe, but that’s not guaranteed, said Charles Kupchan, a professor of international relations at Georgetown University and a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations.
—Nicholas Riccardi, Fortune, 9 Apr. 2026
The suspension-rattling pavement.
—Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 8 Apr. 2026
After weeks of war rattling supply chains, some businesses are beginning to pass along higher costs to consumers with sneaky — and not-so-sneaky — price hikes.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 7 Apr. 2026
The 6-foot-2 Strong — AP’s Player of the Year — was bothered by South Carolina’s interior size, with several of her inside shots rattling in and out.
—David Brandt, Chicago Tribune, 4 Apr. 2026
Since strikes began in February, Iran has blocked tanker traffic through the strait, sending global energy prices surging and rattling financial markets.
—Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rattling
Adjective
-
Your breathing should be deep and rapid.—
Jeff Wagner,
CBS News,
14 Apr. 2026
-
Earthquakes' sudden, rapid shaking can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides or avalanches.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
13 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
Only 11% of respondents were extremely comfortable using AI, whereas 25% were not comfortable at all using the technology.—
Jeff Lazerson,
Oc Register,
16 Apr. 2026
-
These mid-rise jeans are extremely soft, crafted from 98 percent cotton.—
Caroline Hughes,
Travel + Leisure,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In Manhattan, Henry hoofed through the city’s streets and into its clattering manufacturers’ workshops day after day, trying to drum up interest in her interchangeable umbrella.—
Shoshi Parks,
Popular Science,
19 Mar. 2026
-
When the controversy happened, Kelly was already on a yellow card, having been cautioned earlier in the game for clattering into Galatasaray’s Gabriel Sara.—
Steve Madeley,
New York Times,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
After chatting at the show, the actor and makeup artist forged a friendship that eventually turned into a relationship after the death of his wife in 2009.—
Stephanie Sengwe,
PEOPLE,
12 Apr. 2026
-
Keefe, an executive producer on the series, was in London, sitting in a director’s chair between setups in a mockup of Scotland Yard, when a guest of the episode’s director started chatting with him.—
Julian Sancton,
HollywoodReporter,
11 Apr. 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
-
This risks embarrassing them if it is damaged and there is nothing that can be done about it.—
Judith Martin,
Mercury News,
9 Apr. 2026
-
And when that happens, Jamahl Mosley — a good coach and an even better man — will be the fall guy for a team that is embarrassing itself on a national scale and getting exposed in the league standings.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
If nothing else, the pace will be brisk.—
Edgar Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
7 Apr. 2026
-
In 40 minutes against Gotham FC on a sunny but brisk Saturday afternoon at CPKC Stadium, Chawinga — the two-time reigning MVP of the National Women’s Soccer League — saw just 10 touches.—
Daniel Sperry,
Kansas City Star,
4 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
Arthur would have looked very different had another actor played him, according to the filmmaker.—
Bailey Richards,
PEOPLE,
12 Apr. 2026
-
Over time, my relationship with my wife has become very difficult.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rattling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rattling. Accessed 17 Apr. 2026.
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