1
as in informants
a person who provides information about another's wrongdoing
the drug mule refused to turn rat without a guarantee of immunity
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in lovers
someone who regularly spends time in a particular place
on Friday night the mall rats were out in full force
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in dogs
a person whose behavior is offensive to others
no one can understand what she finds appealing in a rat like him
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of rats
Mary Whitfill Roeloffs,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2026
The news comes 20 years after the island was declared free of invasive rats.
—
Moná Thomas,
PEOPLE,
2 July 2026
Critter Control offers specialized pest control plans to get rid of raccoons, squirrels, rats, mice, bats and more.
—
Alora Bopray,
USA Today,
1 July 2026
Map your local predator threat, from raccoons and hawks to foxes, dogs and rats, and build defenses around what actually lives in your area.
—
Ryan Brennan,
Sacbee.com,
30 June 2026
Raccoons, foxes, hawks, dogs and rats each require different defenses.
—
Ryan Brennan,
Charlotte Observer,
30 June 2026
The world could stand to have a few more artistic Parisian rats with cooking skills.
—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
26 June 2026
Someone says the rats are actually cute — what’s your honest response?
—
Zach Schiffman,
Curbed,
19 June 2026
Residents in Rostraver Township, Westmoreland County, said rats are still running rampant through their neighborhood.
—
Erika Stanish,
CBS News,
18 June 2026
Noun
People typically get hantavirus from contact with rodents like rats and mice—normally when exposed to their urine, droppings and saliva, or sometimes through a bite or scratch—but officials say no rodents have been found on the MV Hondius ship.
—
Mary Whitfill Roeloffs,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2026
The news comes 20 years after the island was declared free of invasive rats.
—
Moná Thomas,
PEOPLE,
2 July 2026
Critter Control offers specialized pest control plans to get rid of raccoons, squirrels, rats, mice, bats and more.
—
Alora Bopray,
USA Today,
1 July 2026
Map your local predator threat, from raccoons and hawks to foxes, dogs and rats, and build defenses around what actually lives in your area.
—
Ryan Brennan,
Sacbee.com,
30 June 2026
Raccoons, foxes, hawks, dogs and rats each require different defenses.
—
Ryan Brennan,
Charlotte Observer,
30 June 2026
The world could stand to have a few more artistic Parisian rats with cooking skills.
—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
26 June 2026
Someone says the rats are actually cute — what’s your honest response?
—
Zach Schiffman,
Curbed,
19 June 2026
Residents in Rostraver Township, Westmoreland County, said rats are still running rampant through their neighborhood.
—
Erika Stanish,
CBS News,
18 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rats
Noun
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In 2020, for example, the high court ruled that Muslim men who claimed that their religious rights were violated for being placed on the government’s no-fly list after refusing to serve as FBI informants could sue the FBI agents for damages.
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More recently, the Department of Justice charged the Southern Poverty Law Center — a civil rights nonprofit accused by Republicans of targeting conservatives in its work tracking extremists — with defrauding donors through payments to informants.
Noun
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Wine lovers should consider hitting some stops on the Great River Road Wine Trail, especially Danzinger Vineyards on the bluff in Alma.
-
The track went viral on TikTok earlier this year, with longtime lovers of the musician remembering the hit, while younger fans may have discovered it for the first time.
Noun
-
Small, nervous dogs will feel safe and comfy in this furry donut bed.
-
With roughly 6 1/2 minutes left, Chestnut had devoured 32 dogs to Gray’s 10, according to live unofficial results on ESPN.
Verb
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King laughs, and warns Carrol against comparing him to Jesus.
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Vecellio warns that older adults and people who have medical conditions that put them at higher risk from heat should carefully consider whether to attend outdoor World Cup matches in the hottest locations this week.
Noun
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One of State Security’s main goals, as well as a central source of its strength, is turning civilians into informers.
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And so every regime invests in having student informers.
Noun
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As whole house fans and swamp coolers can suck additional pollutants inside, the department recommends using air purifiers or air conditioners as alternatives when possible.
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Some disappointed fans lingered near the barricades and boundaries police had set up and were enforcing.
Noun
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Hang out with sheep, meet magicians and clowns and explore the amusement park.
-
The only leaders more buffoonish and lethal than the fairground hucksters elected in our failing democracies are the omnipotent clowns of tyranny.
Verb
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Welcome to Latest & Greatest, a franchise that celebrates all the shiniest new beauty launches of the month and informs you what’s worth your time and cash.
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Or a financial services firm where risk scoring informs underwriting, which informs pricing.
Cite this Entry
“Rats.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rats. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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