1
as in newspaper
a publication that appears at regular intervals
the local rag publishes more gossip than news
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in clothing
rags plural
covering for the human body
the girls showed up at the prom wearing their most elegant rags
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in prank
a playful or mischievous act intended as a joke
a collegiate rag that nearly got him sent down from Oxford
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
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 rag
Alicia Chilton, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Dec. 2025
Michael Carroll’s son stiffened — a cold jolt running through him — when his shovel struck what looked like rags and bones in the basement on Halloween eve 2018.
—Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 13 Dec. 2025
Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2025
The staff is running him ragged with the starting and second-team offense in team drills.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 31 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for rag
Noun
For a shine, use a polishing rag.
—Verb
The players had looked ragged, insecure and vulnerable tactically.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for rag
Verb
-
Nawat Itsaragrisil, president of Miss Grand International (MGI), was seen scolding Fatima Bosch, a 25-year-old contestant from Mexico, ahead of the 74th Miss Universe competition being held in Bangkok later this month.—
-
No doubt many grandmothers will want to scold us, but the truth is, soap isn't going to destroy your cast iron pans.—
Verb
-
Christian author Philip Yancey is retiring from writing and lecturing after admitting to a long-running affair with a married woman.—
-
After teaching at Sacramento City College and lecturing at UC Davis, Fisher moved into public history, working with the California Office of Historic Preservation and the Architectural History Department at Caltrans.—
Verb
-
Performers have been reprimanded for making racist, sexist and homophobic jokes during shows in the late 1990s and 2000s, according to Westword, and Stock Show officials were quick to apologize.—
-
His popularity in other corners was evident in an October appearance on The View, in which cohost Whoopi Goldberg had to reprimand the audience for shouting out too many supportive exclamations.—
Verb
-
Chipotle and Cava both reported weaker sales this fall, blaming a slowdown among younger diners who are packing lunches instead.—
-
The hurricane has been blamed for 77 deaths, according to the Pan American Health Organization.—
Verb
-
House Democrats swiftly criticized the Senate.—
-
Bibelheimer also had good reason to criticize the film, as Ferrell’s portrayal of her was wildly at odds with the truth.—
Cite this Entry
“Rag.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rag. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share