rods

noun

plural of rod
1
as in canes
a heavy rigid stick used as a weapon or for punishment arrested for using a rod on his dogs in violation of the state's animal cruelty laws

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in beams
a straight piece (as of wood or metal) that is longer than it is wide a curtain rod

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 rods Videos and photos circulating on social media show piles of rocks, chunks of concrete and rusted metal rods after waves removed layers of sand along the shoreline. — Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2026 The airy weave diffuses daylight through the fabric’s natural texture, while the versatile curtain band works with tracks, curtain rods, or hooks for a clean installation. — Nina Derwin, Architectural Digest, 14 Aug. 2026 These rods, sandwiched between two layers of elastic fabric, made the vest extremely flexible and fluid-like. — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 13 Aug. 2026 The scientists combined thousands of hexagonal rods of the rigid plastic together like scales to create a flexible garment. — Charles Q. Choi, Space.com, 12 Aug. 2026 During an autopsy, a pathologist threaded flexible rods through some of the holes in order to track the bullets’ trajectory. — Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Aug. 2026 Workers pack the fuel rods inside cast-iron structural inserts, which sit within thick copper outer canisters. — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 5 Aug. 2026 The damper rods are from an Opel Omega, with the springs from Hagon. — New Atlas, 5 Aug. 2026 At the time Maciasz was unaware of the IGFA rule about rods in boat gunnel holders. — Bob McNally, Outdoor Life, 29 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rods
  1. canes
  2. beams
  3. batons
  4. bars
  5. boards
Noun
  • Pruning In winter, when canes are done producing fruit for the season, prune the canes that bore fruit down to the base of the plant so new ones will grow in the spring.
    — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Sales of Cardinal’s consumer healthcare products, such as crutches, canes and its Leader brand of cough drops and other over-the-counter medications, are also reported here.
    — Zev Fima, CNBC, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of canes
Noun
  • Bunches from the two beams will collide every 10 nanoseconds in ePIC (the Electron-Proton/Ion Collider Detector), a house-sized system that will record the aftermath of these collisions.
    — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The Deluxe Superior rooms offer another take on the island fantasy with their ceilings with original beams, antique furniture, decorative fireplaces, and large windows.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of beams
Noun
  • The Omaha Police Department said officers will continue to carry tasers, batons, OC spray and firearms.
    — Kathy McCormack, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Running battles erupted throughout downtown as security forces used tear gas and batons to disperse crowds, while protesters responded with barricades, stones, and slingshots.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of batons
Noun
  • Less than a 10-minute drive away is Castellammare del Golfo, full of eateries, stores, and bars.
    — Megan Rose Murray, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Also during the restoration, the race-style, roll-over hoop behind the driver was removed, and rear chrome nudge bars were added.
    — Howard Walker, Robb Report, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of bars
Noun
  • The boos were more scattered and barely audible amidst the applause and cheers, which grew louder when the ballpark’s video boards showed the 2018 champ smiling, clapping, and waving from the visitors’ dugout.
    — Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 21 Aug. 2026
  • As boards sought more experienced directors, just 10% of the incoming class were aged 50 or under, while half of departing directors were in their 50s.
    — Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of boards

Browse Nearby Words

rodomontade
rods
rogue
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rods.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rods. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on rods

Nglish: Translation of rods for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 21

16 Glee-ridden Words from Schitt's Creek
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
alt-684346df967d5
Add A Letter Quiz Pick the letter that goes in the same spot in fou...
See All