1
as in newspaper
a publication that appears at regular intervals
the local rag publishes more gossip than news
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in clothing
rags plural
covering for the human body
the girls showed up at the prom wearing their most elegant rags
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in prank
a playful or mischievous act intended as a joke
a collegiate rag that nearly got him sent down from Oxford
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in to scold
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 rag
Lauren Finney Harden, Southern Living, 12 Jan. 2025
Use disposable paper towels, rather than reusable rags, when cleaning a contaminated surface.
—Mustafa Fattah, NBC News, 31 Dec. 2024
Rosanna Sutherby, Pharmd, Verywell Health, 3 Jan. 2025
Odysseus is dressed as a beggar, ragged and ruined.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 6 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for rag
Noun
Some are flat like cleaning rags and others are corded and looped like a regular mop.
—Lauren Finney Harden, Southern Living, 12 Jan. 2025
Use disposable paper towels, rather than reusable rags, when cleaning a contaminated surface.
—Mustafa Fattah, NBC News, 31 Dec. 2024
Verb
But throwing a few too many alcoholic drinks into the mix can leave you feeling ragged and regretful the next day.
—Rosanna Sutherby, Pharmd, Verywell Health, 3 Jan. 2025
Odysseus is dressed as a beggar, ragged and ruined.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 6 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for rag
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rag
Verb
-
At one point, an appalled Robinson came outside to scold her daughter.—
Rachel DeSantis,
People.com,
13 Feb. 2025
-
On the other side of the FaceTime call is none other than Set It Off star Vivica Fox, who scolds Glo for sleeping in.—
Michael Saponara,
Billboard,
4 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
For Vance to lecture the Germans on how to govern themselves—the Germans, who rose from the traumas of Nazism to build a vibrant and enduring democracy—was inappropriate and bizarre.—
Dexter Filkins,
The New Yorker,
20 Feb. 2025
-
Every purchase is scrutinized — last week, I was lectured for buying a name-brand cereal.—
Anna Pulley,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Earlier this month, Lambert made headlines for stopping mid-show to reprimand an audience member who was doing just that.—
Lauren Huff,
EW.com,
17 Feb. 2025
-
The World’s Best Hospitals 2024 By Dr. Thomas Lee Newsweek Is A Trust Project Member news article 0 In the pilot episode of HBO's new medical drama The Pitt, a dedicated ER doctor is reprimanded for his low Press Ganey patient satisfaction scores.—
Justin Gest,
Newsweek,
10 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Ehrlich can hardly be blamed for the most coercive incarnations of population control.—
Gideon Lewis-Kraus,
The New Yorker,
24 Feb. 2025
-
Organizers blamed the threat on Tarrio, who denied the claim in a post on his social media.—
Bill Barrow,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
The agreement is already being heavily criticized by New York City Council leaders, after prosecutors resigned in protest against a directive from Trump's Department of Justice to dismiss corruption charges against Adams so the mayor could assist with the Republican president's immigration agenda.—
DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE STAFF FROM WIRE REPORTS,
arkansasonline.com,
15 Feb. 2025
-
Elon Musk's transgender daughter has criticized the decision to remove references to transgender people from the Stonewall National Monument website.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
14 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rag.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rag. Accessed 1 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share