rattle 1 of 2

rattle

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to clatter
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
as in to ramble
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

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb rattle contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of rattle are abash, discomfit, disconcert, and embarrass. While all these words mean "to distress by confusing or confounding," rattle implies an agitation that impairs thought and judgment.

rattled by all the television cameras

When might abash be a better fit than rattle?

Although the words abash and rattle have much in common, abash presupposes some initial self-confidence that receives a sudden check, producing shyness, shame, or a feeling of inferiority.

abashed by her swift and cutting retort

When could discomfit be used to replace rattle?

While in some cases nearly identical to rattle, discomfit implies a hampering or frustrating accompanied by confusion.

hecklers discomfited the speaker

When is disconcert a more appropriate choice than rattle?

The words disconcert and rattle are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, disconcert implies an upsetting of equanimity or assurance producing uncertainty or hesitancy.

disconcerted by finding so many in attendance

When would embarrass be a good substitute for rattle?

In some situations, the words embarrass and rattle are roughly equivalent. However, embarrass implies some influence that impedes thought, speech, or action.

the question embarrassed her so much she couldn't answer

Examples 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 rattle
Noun
Hallmark delivers every year with charming designs, like this $9 stacking toy ornament and stunning baby rattle. Katrina Cossey, Parents, 6 Dec. 2024 Watch: Cannabis room shakes as magnitude 7.0 earthquake strikes California Another video from California shows plants and overhead lights in a cannabis grow room rattle as the magnitude 7.0 quake strikes. Fernando Cervantes Jr., USA TODAY, 6 Dec. 2024
Verb
Several of Japan's nuclear power plants were rattled by an earthquake on Monday. Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 13 Jan. 2025 President-elect Trump’s talk of territorial expansion has rattled world leaders at an already precarious time in global politics. Julia Mueller, The Hill, 12 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for rattle 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rattle
Noun
  • The rocket booster revved up the 33 engines at its base, sending a loud roar across Starbase, the SpaceX launch site near Brownsville, Texas.
    Jackie Wattles, CNN, 17 Jan. 2025
  • From the Miami Herald’s archives, here is Michael Crook’s report from March 1989 in Tropic magazine: Donald Trump in Palm Beach: Hitting a roar nerve First published March 19, 1989 The sun has disappeared beyond the middle-class condos of West Palm Beach and the western sky is painted tangerine.
    Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 8 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Arne Slot was furious that referee Stuart Attwell did not show Lucas Bergvall a second yellow card for clattering Kostas Tsimikas shortly before the Swedish teenager scored a late winner in last night’s Carabao Cup semi-final first leg.
    James Pearce, The Athletic, 8 Jan. 2025
  • The park is alive, a symphony of music, clattering boards, and high spirits.
    Ayomide "Mimi" Aborowa, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Other rewards can be chatting with a friend while folding laundry or going to a unique grocery store to make shopping more enticing, experts said.
    Kristen Rogers, CNN, 27 Jan. 2025
  • In the clip, Lamar paces around a greyscale football field, idly chatting on the phone with a friend.
    Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 26 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Johnson's Trump proceeded to give a rambling monologue while the actors portraying the founding fathers, including Miranda, remained frozen behind him.
    Brendan Morrow, USA TODAY, 27 Jan. 2025
  • Along the other side of the approach, Lauren conceived a rambling hedgerow thicket and conduit for wildlife anchored with birch cultivars and native wildflowers.
    Sara James Mnookin, Architectural Digest, 21 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • But the fanbases of those games are not buying it, and have undergone a campaign to embarrass Musk as much as possible about his claims, dragging him into childish internet fights.
    Paul Tassi, Forbes, 17 Jan. 2025
  • And, yes, some justices should also regret embarrassing the court by needlessly attracting attention to their ethics.
    Michael Gfoeller And David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • This Dash character is hijacking the satellite waves and the speaker systems, interfering with the noise outside and putting my music on — Nolimit music on for the world to hear.
    Kalia Richardson, Rolling Stone, 18 Jan. 2025
  • The Red Sox-Vladimir Guerrero Jr. noise is growing louder.
    Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 17 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Before trying any supplement, talk with a healthcare provider.
    Lindsay Curtis, Health, 26 Jan. 2025
  • That is a location that president and candidate Trump talked quite a lot about, specifically as an example of immigration run amuck.
    CBS News, CBS News, 26 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Only another party of two had wandered in during our meal.
    Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 18 Jan. 2025
  • Inside, wander through palaces and halls, as well as Musamman Burj, an octagonal tower where Shah Jahan is believed to have been imprisoned by his son.
    Tanvi Chheda, AFAR Media, 17 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near rattle

Cite this Entry

“Rattle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rattle. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on rattle

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!