as in commotion
a state of noisy, confused activity
the clatter of a crowded cafeteria
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of clatter
Allyson Reedy,
Denver Post,
13 May 2026
Experts refer that moment to conveying a picture, a moment often accentuated by the rhythmical clatter of two pieces of wood, which are like claves.
—
ABC News,
9 Apr. 2026
Sam Knight,
New Yorker,
14 May 2026
The seeds are loose and clatter around inside the pods, giving baptisia the name rattleweed, as children once used the seedpods as rattles.
—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
12 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for clatter
Noun
Sound has nowhere to go but back at you, amplifying every clink and clatter until your reasonable-volume conversation doesn’t stand a chance.
—
Allyson Reedy,
Denver Post,
13 May 2026
Experts refer that moment to conveying a picture, a moment often accentuated by the rhythmical clatter of two pieces of wood, which are like claves.
—
ABC News,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
There have been a dozen political crises in Britain in the past decade, when Prime Ministers have fallen, elections have been called, and helicopters clattered overhead.
—
Sam Knight,
New Yorker,
14 May 2026
The seeds are loose and clatter around inside the pods, giving baptisia the name rattleweed, as children once used the seedpods as rattles.
—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
12 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for clatter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clatter
Noun
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With some flashing lights, this thing flying around in the sky would cause quite a commotion.
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Any browns feeding there are less likely to have been spooked by the commotion.
Verb
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Last night’s incident emotionally rattled you, but tensions will cool in the coming hours.
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Tradition’s stubborn, and there’s still something primal about the boom and the body-rattling force of the real thing.
Noun
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Even tiny electromagnetic disturbances can disrupt the quantum states that perform calculations, reducing the accuracy and reliability of the system.
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However, about 15 minutes into the flight, a pilot reported a passenger disturbance to air traffic control.
Verb
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Clicking and clacking, a tiny wooden marionette lifts an apple to his mouth ad infinitum.
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Babe, that clacking fan is long gone.
Noun
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But for now, she’s unbothered by all the fuss and plans to relax into the summer with her family.
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Some of the South’s sweetest small towns are more than ready to welcome you for a laidback, fuss-free, quiet weekend away.
Noun
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Swift’s arrival at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium caused quite a stir there and around the country.
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There’s even Thai food ranging from curry dishes to basil stir fries.
Noun
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Sorrell entered Week 18 with just seven tackles in 13 games, two quarterback hurries and no sacks.
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That can change in a hurry, as this year’s draft week has proved.
Noun
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Rescue workers heard noises that raised the possibility that someone underneath was still alive, Espy told The Times.
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Ration food and water, listen for rescue calls and search for something near you to make noise.
Cite this Entry
“Clatter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clatter. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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