rags 1 of 2

noun

plural of rag
as in clothes
covering for the human body the girls showed up at the prom wearing their most elegant rags

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rags

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of rag
as in scolds
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 rags
Noun
According to Cruz, the best way to maintain lower overall levels of dust accumulation in the home is by employing microfiber cloths over feather dusters or regular rags. — Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 27 July 2026 Fares, 68, has a rags-to-riches story not uncommon in Lebanon. — Jane Arraf, NPR, 26 July 2026 That video shows three boys scrubbing the floor and walls of a room in the school with rags as Morrison shouts commands and admonishments. — Jennifer Smith Richards, ProPublica, 24 July 2026 Drip Line is an expandable kitchen aid that fits over every sink, creating a hygienic place to store and dry out rags. — ABC News, 10 July 2026 At the start of this World Cup, there was concern that many of the new teams – some of which had never played a World Cup match – would be used as dust rags for the world powers. — Mark Sappenfield, Christian Science Monitor, 10 July 2026 Place Drying Towels and Rags in Separate Places Kitchen rags tend to be one item that gets tossed around in piles on counters. — Tessa Cooper, The Spruce, 27 June 2026 Released during World War II, the film capitalizes on Cohan's rags-to-riches story and his songs' ability to boost morale with their embodiment of the American spirit. — Kevin P. Sullivan, Entertainment Weekly, 26 June 2026 Pour a little water over the area to rinse it, and blot it with rags as well. — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 26 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rags
  1. clothing
  2. scolds
  3. attire
  4. lectures
  5. dress
  6. reprimands
Noun
  • With local vendors selling everything from clothing, thrift and vintage pieces, beauty products, candles, jewelry, fragrances and more, this Indie Market promotes a rotating list of merchants.
    — Lesly Gregory, AJC.com, 3 Aug. 2026
  • That’s why Figgins suggests wearing a slim, flat money belt underneath your clothing.
    — Jillian Dara, Travel + Leisure, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of clothing
Verb
  • Someone else scolds the offender.
    — Judith Martin, Mercury News, 16 June 2026
  • Inspired by This Is Spinal Tap, Cundieff makes quick work of lambasting the casual misogyny and homophobia ingrained in hardcore rap, but also of the media scolds unable to parse the message of the music.
    — Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 3 June 2026
Definition of scolds
Noun
  • His fluctuating weight, ruddy cheeks and occasionally ill-fitting attire — commenters on social media rarely needed an excuse to zero in on him.
    — Greg O'Keeffe, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Tuipulotu, who was a full participant in minicamp, did individual work off to the side during Wednesday’s practice and was in general workout attire rather than in a helmet, jersey and football pants like his teammates.
    — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 31 July 2026
Definition of attire
Verb
  • In fact, they were borne out of more practical considerations, said Elizabeth Morton, a planning and urban design consultant who lectures at George Washington University.
    — Rachel Treisman, NPR, 9 July 2026
  • Today’s successful downtowns rely on a mix of ingredients, said Steven Falk, the former city manager of Lafayette, who’s served as an interim city executive in Oakland and Richmond and who lectures at UC Berkeley’s Goldman School of Public Policy.
    — Martha Ross, Mercury News, 2 June 2026
Definition of lectures
Noun
  • Supermodels Carol Gracias walked out in the first look — a sherwani jacket worn over an anarkali dress, carrying a briefcase embroidered with the map of India.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 30 July 2026
  • During one scene, Einbinder — dressed in a replica of a black dress Gyllenhaal wore in the original film — acted out an explicit orgasm as described in the script, breaking character in the middle of the scene to double over laughing.
    — Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 29 July 2026
Definition of dress
Verb
  • The emperor reprimands her for being late for the rainmaking ritual.
    — Lavender Au, The Dial, 30 June 2026
  • His supervisor appears as a ticket conductor and reprimands him for doing nothing.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Jan. 2026
Definition of reprimands

Phrases Containing rags

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ragouts
rags
rags on
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Cite this Entry

“Rags.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rags. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

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