rattle 1 of 2

rattle

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to clatter
to make a series of short sharp noises the children tromped through the kitchen, making the plates on the shelf rattle

Synonyms & Similar Words

2
3
as in to ramble
to talk at length without sticking to a topic or getting to a point she rattled on and on about all her European shopping trips, but I wasn't really listening

Synonyms & Similar Words

4

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb rattle contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of rattle are abash, discomfit, disconcert, and embarrass. While all these words mean "to distress by confusing or confounding," rattle implies an agitation that impairs thought and judgment.

rattled by all the television cameras

When might abash be a better fit than rattle?

Although the words abash and rattle have much in common, abash presupposes some initial self-confidence that receives a sudden check, producing shyness, shame, or a feeling of inferiority.

abashed by her swift and cutting retort

When could discomfit be used to replace rattle?

While in some cases nearly identical to rattle, discomfit implies a hampering or frustrating accompanied by confusion.

hecklers discomfited the speaker

When is disconcert a more appropriate choice than rattle?

The words disconcert and rattle are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, disconcert implies an upsetting of equanimity or assurance producing uncertainty or hesitancy.

disconcerted by finding so many in attendance

When would embarrass be a good substitute for rattle?

In some situations, the words embarrass and rattle are roughly equivalent. However, embarrass implies some influence that impedes thought, speech, or action.

the question embarrassed her so much she couldn't answer

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 rattle
Noun
Other residents in New Hampshire and Rhode Island also reported the rattle. Stephen Sorace, Fox News, 27 Jan. 2025 The collar’s microphone and sensors can detect rattlesnakes by listening for the sound of a rattle, or detect if a pet goes missing or is kidnapped. Boone Ashworth, WIRED, 15 Oct. 2024
Verb
Avoiding the brunt of Trump’s tariffs, Britain sees an opportunity to serve as a refuge from the trade war that has rattled markets and the global economy. Alan Rappeport, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2025 The dramedy about the behind-the-scenes lives, loves and pain of professional athletes rattled some cages with its hard-hitting depictions of alcohol and pain-drug abuse and solidified Kotcheff as a filmmaker to be reckoned with. Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 11 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for rattle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rattle
Noun
  • When Golden took the stage, there was a roar of cheers and fireworks exploded over the city.
    Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2025
  • While the roar of the engines and smell of burning rubber are very familiar to fans of stock car racing, there’s a distinct allure about NHRA events.
    Shane Connuck, Charlotte Observer, 23 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The seeds are loose and clatter around inside the pods, giving baptisia the name rattleweed, as children once used the seedpods as rattles.
    Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 29 Mar. 2025
  • He was injured when Antonio Nusa, his then team-mate at Club Bruges, clattered into him during a game.
    Adam Leventhal, The Athletic, 25 July 2024
Verb
  • Patino chatted with every person, making sure their order was perfect.
    Emily M. Olson, Hartford Courant, 21 Apr. 2025
  • During a recent episode of The Oprah Podcast, the media mogul chatted with social psychologist Jonathan Haidt about the amount of time teenagers spend online.
    Jamie Allison Sanders, People.com, 18 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The band lays down a rambling shuffle, which Snoop awkwardly attempts to rap-sing over.
    Justin Curto, Vulture, 17 Apr. 2025
  • The mental ability and age of both Biden and Trump were in focus during last year's election campaign, especially after Biden's disastrous performance in a debate with Trump in June, and Trump's increasingly rambling speeches at rallies.
    Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA Today, 12 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • O’Neil had shown a more ruthless streak in dealing with Lemina, stripping the midfielder of the captaincy after those embarrassing post-match scenes at West Ham.
    Steve Madeley, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2025
  • Punk proceeded to beatdown and embarrass McIntyre, leading to Priest cashing in his Money in the Bank contract and winning the title from McIntyre.
    Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 15 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • One appeal of the group’s messaging is its peculiarly British sensibility; the statements tend to cut through the noise.
    Anna Russell, New Yorker, 24 Apr. 2025
  • Such evidence could support the view that incessant loud noise amounts to torture or cruel treatment towards cetaceans, in turn galvanizing support for a new right to be free from such harm.
    David Gruber, Time, 24 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • And the volunteer who can’t write a check but has spent every weekend knocking on doors and talking to neighbors about this campaign’s promise of a better future for Fort Worth.
    Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Apr. 2025
  • Across the street stood about a dozen police officers talking among themselves because there was no activity requiring their intervention.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 19 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • After a 3-month long girls trip along Florida’s Gulf Coast, a wayward pair of endangered North Atlantic right whales known as Curlew and Koala have finally wandered back to the Atlantic Ocean.
    Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2025
  • Alberta is skeptical… until Hetty points out how Pete has been wandering and dating up a storm, was secretly in the mafia and punched Thor in the face after the Viking slept with Carol.
    Vlada Gelman, TVLine, 24 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Rattle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rattle. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.

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