as in clothes
covering for the human body
the girls showed up at the prom wearing their most elegant rags
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
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Recent Examples of rags
Lillian Metzmeier, Louisville Courier Journal, 29 Jan. 2026
New England is proof rags-to-riches is still a thing in the NFL.
—Greg Cote
january 26, Miami Herald, 26 Jan. 2026
Like them, its rags-to-riches-to-near-ruin storytelling is simplistic, the celluloid craftsmanship B-grade, the acting nothing to write home about.
—Dennis Harvey, Variety, 23 Jan. 2026
Wrap the spigot or nearby pipes with towels or rags.
—Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 21 Jan. 2026
Fernando Mendoza bulldozed his way into the end zone and Indiana bullied its way into the history books Monday night, toppling Miami 27-21 to put the finishing touch on a rags-to-riches story, an undefeated season and the national title.
—Arkansas Online, 20 Jan. 2026
Once a laughing stock in college football, a punching bag for the likes of Ohio State and Michigan in the Big Ten, the Hoosiers’ rags-to-riches story ended perfectly.
—Ralph D. Russo, New York Times, 20 Jan. 2026
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and rags-to-riches stories are part of every sport.
—Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 20 Jan. 2026
The tighter scope and folksy approach — from a score with more spare acoustic guitar than sweeping orchestral numbers and an abundance of drab peasant rags over plush regal garb — is refreshing, at first.
—Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 16 Jan. 2026
Noun
Stuff towels or rags in any cracks under doors or near windows.
—Lillian Metzmeier, Louisville Courier Journal, 29 Jan. 2026
New England is proof rags-to-riches is still a thing in the NFL.
—Greg Cote
january 26, Miami Herald, 26 Jan. 2026
Like them, its rags-to-riches-to-near-ruin storytelling is simplistic, the celluloid craftsmanship B-grade, the acting nothing to write home about.
—Dennis Harvey, Variety, 23 Jan. 2026
Wrap the spigot or nearby pipes with towels or rags.
—Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 21 Jan. 2026
Fernando Mendoza bulldozed his way into the end zone and Indiana bullied its way into the history books Monday night, toppling Miami 27-21 to put the finishing touch on a rags-to-riches story, an undefeated season and the national title.
—Arkansas Online, 20 Jan. 2026
Once a laughing stock in college football, a punching bag for the likes of Ohio State and Michigan in the Big Ten, the Hoosiers’ rags-to-riches story ended perfectly.
—Ralph D. Russo, New York Times, 20 Jan. 2026
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and rags-to-riches stories are part of every sport.
—Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 20 Jan. 2026
The tighter scope and folksy approach — from a score with more spare acoustic guitar than sweeping orchestral numbers and an abundance of drab peasant rags over plush regal garb — is refreshing, at first.
—Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 16 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rags
Verb
-
While some online scolds didn’t like Johnson’s profanity, this has played well in Chicago, a city that has been ravenous for a winning Bears team since the 20th Super Bowl.—
Jon Greenberg,
New York Times,
14 Jan. 2026
-
Or on Bluesky with the joke scolds, or on Mastodon with the Linux hackers, or on Threads with the voice-forward brands?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
17 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The scrutiny from the EU comes after Grok sparked a global backlash by allowing users, through its AI image generation and editing capabilities, to undress people, putting women and girls in transparent bikinis or revealing clothing.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Chester County Residents who need temporary shelter, food and clothing during the winter can call 211 or text their zip code to 898-211 for immediate assistance.—
Bill Kelly,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Simon Maghakyan lectures on the 20th anniversary of the destruction of Djulfa in December 2025.—
Simon Maghakyan,
Time,
30 Jan. 2026
-
In her car, Jessica Gabriel’s Lady is an avid listener of DJ Revolution, a fictional radio DJ who lectures passionately about the struggles of modern-day life in Nigeria.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
22 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Brockman was unable to say which group the man in the Native attire belonged to.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
3 Feb. 2026
-
Lately, celebs have been ditching heels and dresses for more relaxed red carpet attire, and Meghan Markle’s 2026 Sundance Film Festival outfit is no different.—
Nicol Natale,
PEOPLE,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
His supervisor appears as a ticket conductor and reprimands him for doing nothing.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Colonialism affects every aspect of life, from language to religion, from dress to traditions, and those legacies don’t necessarily disappear after an oppressor is ousted.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
-
While on the runway the dress was blue and black with a trompe-l’œil design, Robbie’s look leaned into more Victorian-era flourishes, with a laced strapless bodice and an onyx and scarlet red gradient petal skirt, striking colors which borrowed from other styles in the show.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rags.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rags. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.
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