rat 1 of 2

noun

ˈrat How to pronounce rat (audio)
Definition of ratnext
1
as in informant
a person who provides information about another's wrongdoing the drug mule refused to turn rat without a guarantee of immunity

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in lover
someone who regularly spends time in a particular place on Friday night the mall rats were out in full force

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in bastard
a person whose behavior is offensive to others no one can understand what she finds appealing in a rat like him

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

rat

2 of 2

verb

as in to leak

Related Words

Dissimilar 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 rat
Noun
The rotting food has drawn swarms of flies and rats with a foul rancid smell that Boyle Heights residents have said kept them indoors, and business owners have said kept customers away. — Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026 An open rat trap was found near dry storage and gnats were found in a dessert area, according to the report. — Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Aug. 2026 During the friendship arc, fans can see Hawkins High School, while in a darker moment, windows will be illuminated with the images of scurrying rats. — Abbey White, HollywoodReporter, 28 Aug. 2026 There is actually some experimental support for the blood pressure effect, with studies in rat models showing that small amounts do lower blood pressure. — Prayan Pokharel, The Conversation, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rat
  1. informant
  2. lover
  3. dog
  4. leak
  5. informer
  6. fan
  7. jerk
  8. talk
Noun
  • Remember those jailhouse informants who claimed Kezer had confessed?
    — Peter Henderson, CBS News, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Detectives relied on confidential informants to bust the operation – an informant who purchased drugs from Robinson blew the operation open.
    — Kelsie Cairns, FOXNews.com, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of informant
Noun
  • Milwaukee Public Library research and policy coordinator Joey McMahon added the library has been a staple for Milwaukee artists and music lovers for a long time.
    — Caden Perry, jsonline.com, 4 Sep. 2026
  • The story follows Jaime, a former lover turned butler to Isabel, a wealthy Argentine woman.
    — Leo Barraclough, Variety, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of lover
Noun
  • The local community has also rallied to help the family by delivering meals, caring for their kids and walking their dog.
    — Erin Clack, PEOPLE, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Four months later, he was seen last weekend walking dogs, taking walks, enjoying a cup of coffee in a garage, and even stopping to sift through neighborhood trash items on the side of the street.
    — Kelsie Cairns, FOXNews.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of dog
Verb
  • This condition causes the protein albumin to leak into the urine and is a sign of kidney disease.
    — Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Photos have begun to leak off the film set, so some friendly speculation feels in order.
    — Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of leak
Noun
  • One of State Security’s main goals, as well as a central source of its strength, is turning civilians into informers.
    — Abraham Jiménez Enoa, The Dial, 19 May 2026
  • And so every regime invests in having student informers.
    — Anne Applebaum, The Atlantic, 23 Jan. 2026
Definition of informer
Noun
  • Parton died after a brief battle with cancer, with her death triggering an outpouring of grief, from fellow Hollywood stars to everyday fans who attended makeshift memorials.
    — Edward Segarra, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Among the fans in Cottage Grove was 21-year-old Chloe Fadem, who arrived from Chicago gleefully sporting her own Keatonesque two-piece suit.
    — Brian Bull, NPR, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of fan
Noun
  • The latter accidentally does happen, which leads to power struggles between the bigoted jerk and our trio of heroines.
    — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Duffy, for his part, came across as a real jerk at times, but surprisingly charming at others, with a half-nerd, half-jock mien—sweepy hair, big glasses, a megawatt smile—that put me in mind of a Wisconsin Sam Seaborn.
    — Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of jerk
Verb
  • For those who take pride in their pouty lips (or their ability to talk their way out of just about anything), a swipe of lipstick and nothing else is a cool way to look put together without the hustle of actually putting yourself together.
    — Loren Savini, Allure, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Despite 40-plus years of dazzling red-carpet moments—and two decades since becoming the first Arab designer on the official Paris haute couture calendar—in real life Elie Saab is still more comfortable letting his runway do the talking for him.
    — Tina Isaac-Goizé, Vogue, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of talk

Phrases Containing rat

Browse Nearby Words

rassling
rat
ratbag
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Cite this Entry

“Rat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rat. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on rat

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about rat

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