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
Emily Hayes,
Martha Stewart,
24 June 2026
Despite difficult circumstances, kids find ways to play, even crafting balls from rags.
—
Michael Sandler,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2026
Dan Sheldon,
New York Times,
11 Jan. 2026
In November, Green spoke to PEOPLE at the 2025 CMA Awards in Nashville, and shared a similar story about his friends ragging on him for being crowned Sexiest Country Star Alive.
—
Rachel Desantis,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rag
Noun
If your vacuum isn't compatible, use a damp rag for cleaning indoors.
—
Emily Hayes,
Martha Stewart,
24 June 2026
Despite difficult circumstances, kids find ways to play, even crafting balls from rags.
—
Michael Sandler,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2026
Verb
On that night in March, to the surprise of nobody, Arsenal ran their mid-table Premier League hosts ragged, beating them 5-1, with Henry and Freddie Ljungberg scoring twice, and Kolo Toure netting the other.
—
Dan Sheldon,
New York Times,
11 Jan. 2026
In November, Green spoke to PEOPLE at the 2025 CMA Awards in Nashville, and shared a similar story about his friends ragging on him for being crowned Sexiest Country Star Alive.
—
Rachel Desantis,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rag
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rag
Noun
-
Soldiers were deployed outside the Kampala offices of the Daily Monitor newspaper early Sunday.
-
The Southern California Journalism Awards span print newspapers and magazines, TV, radio and digital news outlets as well as radio, podcasting and social media.
Noun
-
The best Prime Day clothing deals tend to change day by day, so check back in over the course of the event to shop all the newest and most exciting markdowns.
-
Of course, those who’ve shopped the sale before know that many of the best Amazon Prime Day deals aren’t in the clothing department at all.
Noun
-
Those ticket sales rank as the worst opening in the prank comedy series that’s all about risking life, limb and dignity.
-
Police used the incident to warn the public that pranks involving Orbeez guns, airsoft guns, or other toy firearms can provoke dangerous reactions and lead to criminal charges.
Verb
-
Soon though, Shawna noticed some of Zaayer's strange behaviors — including scolding her grandson, getting upset over cleaning habits and allegedly showing them racist videos.
-
Justice Barrett actually sounded kind of sharp, almost scolding, in the opinion in her criticism of the assertions made by the plaintiffs and some of the justices in the minority.
Noun
-
The center’s resources—all free—include more than a million books and periodicals, with 400 terminals and 75 staff members available to help dig through them.
-
Galaxy, Analog, and Amazing Stories, those three periodicals – and our bathroom was piled high.
Noun
-
Signs of tachinid activity include lifeless caterpillars or thin, brown chrysalises, sometimes with silk threads indicating larval emergence.
-
The threads that formed country music The American West generated its own mythologies.
Noun
-
The trick is to widen your view deliberately, one angle at a time, because each new angle surfaces buyers the last one missed.
-
Now, as heat waves wash over cities from London to Palm Springs, people are embracing this tried-and-true trick with the Frogg Toggs Chilly Pad.
Verb
-
Some commentators in the United States have taken the opportunity to lecture Europeans, and perhaps even indulge in a little schadenfreude.
-
The work, then, is not to lecture communities into trusting us.
Cite this Entry
“Rag.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rag. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
