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

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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

rat

2 of 2

verb

as in to leak

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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
That money will fund a rat model of Jaxson’s gene mutation, which is expected to be studied at UT Southwestern next year. — Ciara McCarthy 22, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Oct. 2026 Boise’s decision comes on the heels of Central District Health announcing its regional plan to combat rats. — Mark Dee, Idaho Statesman, 21 Oct. 2026 People who live along the interstate in Ferndale say the road work has caused rats to flood into their neighborhoods. — Julia Avant, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026 Look for these key signs to tell whether your yard is home to an underground community of rats. — Blythe Copeland, Martha Stewart, 17 Oct. 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
  • Sentenced to life in prison, Buchanan maintained a grip over gangs in the South Bay area of San Diego, according to an FBI report of an informant’s interview.
    — Matthew Ormseth, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Sguros was listed as the informant on West’s death certificate, and several months after the initial death investigation, was legally authorized to release West’s remains to a cremation service business.
    — Angie DiMichele, Sun Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of informant
Noun
  • Overton, however, claimed that both informants were lying — and that the semen found on the comforter was planted on the scene by a spurned ex-lover with connections to the police department.
    — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The professionalization worked, but at the expense of the site’s internal culture, Cooke argues, as generous eccentrics were displaced by neurotic lovers of rules.
    — Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of lover
Noun
  • Lamm told TechCrunch that conventional breeding can produce dogs with poor eyesight or genetic predispositions to cancer.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Cadaver dogs also alerted to the scent of a corpse in the vehicle.
    — Frannie Comstock, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of dog
Verb
  • If the collagen is faulty or too little is made, blood and protein can leak into urine.
    — MD Published, Verywell Health, 23 Oct. 2026
  • When Weiss and her aides shift coverage closer to Israel’s point of view, their actions promptly leak to outlets like the Guardian and Status, the daily media newsletter that has relentlessly chronicled Weiss’ real and perceived missteps.
    — semafor.com, semafor.com, 19 Oct. 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
  • Reid was truly impressive in all facets and a guy Hornets fans are really going to like.
    — Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Then, as if all of that wasn't enough, Sens fans started raining down their old Tkachuk jerseys.
    — Matt Reigle OutKick, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of fan
Noun
  • From award-winning jerk pork wraps to classic rice and peas, every bite celebrates our heritage.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Bella’s childhood friend Angus (Jake Simmance), a corporate jerk, condescendingly probes Johnny about his career.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of jerk
Verb
  • Publicly, Pacific Fusion talks mostly about its future ability to supply electricity, a promise the fusion industry has made for years.
    — Sarah Scoles, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
  • The 6,200-square-foot venue spans two levels and features a 700-square-foot dry sauna, an infrared sauna and a 46-degree cold plunge, with dim communal areas built in to encourage guests to linger and talk.
    — Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 20 Oct. 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 27 Oct. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about rat

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