1
as in newspaper
a publication that appears at regular intervals
the local rag publishes more gossip than news
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2
as in clothing
rags plural
covering for the human body
the girls showed up at the prom wearing their most elegant rags
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as in prank
a playful or mischievous act intended as a joke
a collegiate rag that nearly got him sent down from Oxford
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as in to scold
to criticize (someone) severely or angrily especially for personal failings
several readers called in to rag the editor for his paper's repeated grammatical lapses
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rag
David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 29 Jan. 2025
Grab some cleaning rags and an old toothbrush or scrub brush, as well as rubbing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, bleach or detergent for smaller surface mold growths.
—Bridget Reed Morawski, Architectural Digest, 14 Jan. 2025
Rosanna Sutherby, Pharmd, Verywell Health, 3 Jan. 2025
Odysseus is dressed as a beggar, ragged and ruined.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 6 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for rag
Noun
The officer spotted another bucket with rags and a spray.
—David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 29 Jan. 2025
Grab some cleaning rags and an old toothbrush or scrub brush, as well as rubbing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, bleach or detergent for smaller surface mold growths.
—Bridget Reed Morawski, Architectural Digest, 14 Jan. 2025
Verb
But throwing a few too many alcoholic drinks into the mix can leave you feeling ragged and regretful the next day.
—Rosanna Sutherby, Pharmd, Verywell Health, 3 Jan. 2025
Odysseus is dressed as a beggar, ragged and ruined.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 6 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for rag
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rag
Verb
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However, the voice resembling Smith Sr.’s goes silent for the remainder of the phone call, as Martinez continues to scold him for his actions.—
Preezy Brown,
VIBE.com,
24 Feb. 2025
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Shakira storms off Miami nightclub stage after appearing to scold clubgoer for filming up her dress The title of the tour is taken from the singer's 12th studio album, released last year and the first since 2017's El Dorado.—
Ryan Coleman,
EW.com,
16 Feb. 2025
Verb
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For Vance to lecture the Germans on how to govern themselves—the Germans, who rose from the traumas of Nazism to build a vibrant and enduring democracy—was inappropriate and bizarre.—
Dexter Filkins,
The New Yorker,
20 Feb. 2025
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Every purchase is scrutinized — last week, I was lectured for buying a name-brand cereal.—
Anna Pulley,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Earlier this month, Lambert made headlines for stopping mid-show to reprimand an audience member who was doing just that.—
Lauren Huff,
EW.com,
17 Feb. 2025
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The World’s Best Hospitals 2024 By Dr. Thomas Lee Newsweek Is A Trust Project Member news article 0 In the pilot episode of HBO's new medical drama The Pitt, a dedicated ER doctor is reprimanded for his low Press Ganey patient satisfaction scores.—
Justin Gest,
Newsweek,
10 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Ehrlich can hardly be blamed for the most coercive incarnations of population control.—
Gideon Lewis-Kraus,
The New Yorker,
24 Feb. 2025
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Organizers blamed the threat on Tarrio, who denied the claim in a post on his social media.—
Bill Barrow,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Hackman was praised for his acting but the movie was fiercely criticized for appearing to whitewash history and marginalize Black characters.—
Daniel Arkin,
NBC News,
27 Feb. 2025
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Some party leaders have been criticized for using Nazi slogans and downplaying the Holocaust.—
Obed Manuel,
NPR,
27 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rag.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rag. Accessed 7 Mar. 2025.
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