1
as in informants
a person who provides information about another's wrongdoing
the drug mule refused to turn rat without a guarantee of immunity
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in lovers
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 dogs
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
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 rats
Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Jan. 2026
This brings about rats, other rodents, bug infestation.
—Sooji Nam, CBS News, 13 Jan. 2026
The rain, or the rats, had made holes in all the flour sacks.
—Literary Hub, 12 Jan. 2026
Plans are to first print a small liver, perhaps five millimeters, that can be transplanted into rats.
—Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Jan. 2026
Sometimes rats chew the machines' wires or an explosion causes more serious damage.
—Arkansas Online, 11 Jan. 2026
The animals play a vital role in the ecosystem as their diet consists of small rodents such as mice, rats and squirrels.
—Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2026
Or, more accurately, in this case, rats.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 9 Jan. 2026
As a result, the rats learned more quickly, picked up reward cues faster and were more responsive to positive feedback.
—Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 7 Jan. 2026
Noun
Each envelope containing the clue was inside a box filled with some frightful creature — rats, snakes, a tarantula, millipedes, and cockroaches.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for rats
Noun
-
Jacobsen, who was appointed chief in 2022, is suspected of stealing money from a department fund that was created to pay confidential informants.—
-
In a separate court filing submitted Monday, Cole’s attorneys also demanded broad discovery, including all statements attributed to him, investigative notes, information about the FBI’s use of informants to identify Cole as a suspect, and any exculpatory material.—
Noun
-
After all, when lovers of the cosmos come together in this Earth sign, tradition, courtship and long-term commitment take precedence over fleeting chemistry.—
-
The cafe’s signature coconut latte is a great way to beat the heat and a must for coconut lovers.—
Noun
-
For the fourth year in a row, Petco Love brought adoptable dogs to the awards.—
-
Children and dogs are always free.—
Noun
-
John Stamos shared a dramatic new look with fans in an Instagram post on Tuesday, Jan 13.—
-
As to what exactly will be available for the fans to purchase, LA28 officials wouldn’t say on Tuesday.—
Noun
-
Like canaries in the coal mine ocean form.—
-
During the late 19th and early 20th century, coal miners in Europe and North America used canaries as living carbon monoxide alarms.—
Noun
-
Scott Adams, who kept cubicle denizens laughing for more than three decades with Dilbert, the bitingly funny comic strip that poked fun at the absurdity of corporate life, before racist remarks got him pink-slipped, died Tuesday.—
-
Even its most powerful denizens drove beat-up Volvos; its dandies shopped at Brooks Brothers.—
Noun
-
These mercenary-force ICE clowns are traitors to the country and the Constitution.—
-
Brewer depicts the world of music impersonators with a fair amount of affection, like the rodeo clowns of late 20th-century America.—
Verb
-
But a leading space cybersecurity researcher warns that many such attacks have previously gone unnoticed and that sensitive data including email credentials of ESA, and also NASA, employees are frequently offered for sale on dark web forums.—
-
Ignoring the corrosion at the base can make loosening attempts ineffective and lead to breakage, Mansfield warns.—
Cite this Entry
“Rats.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rats. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
