1
as in newspaper
a publication that appears at regular intervals
the local rag publishes more gossip than news
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rag
Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 5 Feb. 2026
Bee Cave Bob arrived in a crate lined with shirts and rags.
—Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 3 Feb. 2026
Matthew Jacobs, Vulture, 25 Dec. 2025
But now in the gossip rags, his parents are out complaining about it.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rag
Noun
Stuff towels or rags in the cracks under doors.
—Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 5 Feb. 2026
Bee Cave Bob arrived in a crate lined with shirts and rags.
—Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 3 Feb. 2026
Verb
Paltrow is so compellingly human — which is to say ragged and unpredictable — as a flighty drug addict who befriends an infatuated neighbor (Joaquin Phoenix) while dating a married man (Elias Koteas).
—Matthew Jacobs, Vulture, 25 Dec. 2025
But now in the gossip rags, his parents are out complaining about it.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rag
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rag
Verb
-
As the Sentinel’s Cristobal Reyes has reported, federal judges based in Orlando have scolded prosecutors multiple times in recent weeks for detaining people who should have been set free, with one judge memorably comparing the current actions of ICE to those of a third-world country.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Young kids paddled near the shallow edges and bigger kids jumped off the cliffs above the swimming hole, causing the adults to gasp and scold.—
Hazlitt,
Hazlitt,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Sometimes the messages got feisty, with Epstein lecturing Karp over a fee.—
Tom Schoenberg,
Fortune,
5 Feb. 2026
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The Masons were members of the Congregational Church where Codding lectured.—
Susan DeGrane,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Several told the Herald they were reprimanded for speaking to the media to promote the cultural events being hosted by the center.—
Raisa Habersham,
Miami Herald,
6 Feb. 2026
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Following the meeting, Green was reprimanded by a captain for failing to review the video with the officers.—
Ben Wheeler,
Kansas City Star,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Cuban officials have said existing US economic sanctions are largely to blame for the energy crisis, although critics also fault a lack of government investment in infrastructure.—
Michael Rios,
CNN Money,
10 Feb. 2026
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But Connecticut Republicans — along with some Democrats — have for a long time blamed the lack of ample gas supply for the region’s high energy costs.—
John Moritz,
Hartford Courant,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Public health experts also criticized the president for making unfounded claims about highly politicized health issues.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
9 Feb. 2026
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Trump has criticized the selection of Bad Bunny, and rock band Green Day, to perform at the Super Bowl.—
Jenna Prestininzi,
Freep.com,
8 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rag.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rag. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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