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
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 Which brings up a second paradox: Dudamel always seems most energized with scores full of rhythmic rattle and percussive excitement, pieces that demand pinpoint exactitude and a knack for assembling large, coherent structures out of jagged shards. Justin Davidson, Vulture, 10 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
  • The tornado’s roar lasted only five seconds, but that was enough to demolish Bott’s service station, a family business and a Moundville, Missouri, landmark, leaving Bott in shock and with a feeling of uncertainty.
    Tammy Ljungblad, Kansas City Star, 3 Apr. 2025
  • Mid-set, Durst made a surprise entrance to sing alongside her, to the roar of the crowd.
    Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 2 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
  • Mariah Carey just pulled a classic mom move by embarrassing her teenage son in front of his friends.
    Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 5 Apr. 2025
  • The leaking was intended to embarrass Bork, whose nomination was ultimately rejected by the U.S. Senate albeit for reasons unrelated to his rental list.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 20 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • For that reason, in trying to determine which stocks may be worth nibbling on, taking a more holistic and qualitative view can help cut through the noise.
    Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Dominant Marist, which makes national noise, remains in top spot, while Stagg enters rankings.
    Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 10 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
  • While talking to news outlet WIVB in April 2025, Allen said that the movie will have an emphasis on Jessie's journey.
    Maddie Garfinkle, People.com, 19 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • On Monday night, a glittering crowd stepped out to celebrate the store’s opening, before heading over to Palazzo Serbelloni to wander through its halls and take in the homewares collection.
    Liam Hess, Vogue, 10 Apr. 2025
  • That means that future missions to Titan will have a rough time tracking down any solitary microbes that might be wandering about.
    David Szondy, New Atlas, 8 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Rattle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rattle. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.

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