1
as in newspaper
a publication that appears at regular intervals
the local rag publishes more gossip than news
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2
as in clothing
rags plural
covering for the human body
the girls showed up at the prom wearing their most elegant rags
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as in prank
a playful or mischievous act intended as a joke
a collegiate rag that nearly got him sent down from Oxford
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rag
Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 14 Feb. 2025
In the first game, Henry’s personal rags to riches story felt appropriate for its more modest scope.
—George Yang, Rolling Stone, 3 Feb. 2025
Jeffrey Fleishman, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for rag
Noun
At the apartment, police found bloody rags stuffed in a closet — and 23-year-old Christian Millet, Echevarria’s roommate and his ex-girlfriend’s grandson, who prosecutors say cracked under questioning and confessed to killing him.
—Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 14 Feb. 2025
In the first game, Henry’s personal rags to riches story felt appropriate for its more modest scope.
—George Yang, Rolling Stone, 3 Feb. 2025
Verb
Advertisement The two men, ragged and sleepless, belongings jammed into two battered pick-ups, were regrouping Wednesday morning in La Cañada Flintridge, a few miles northwest of Altadena.
—Jeffrey Fleishman, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for rag
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rag
Verb
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According to Smith, James, who approached him in the third quarter during a timeout, scolded him for his commentary regarding his son and teammate, Bronny James.—
Preezy Brown,
VIBE.com,
12 Mar. 2025
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Michelle Obama playfully scolded her husband, Barack Obama, on her new podcast with her brother, Craig Robinson.—
Faisal Kutty,
Newsweek,
12 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Vance, who lectures U.S. allies about how to run their affairs, reminds us of every rich guy from suburban Pittsburgh who visits the Amalfi Coast in the summer, drives up the pedestrianized streets, and then complains that the pasta is too chewy and there’s no AC in his 15th-century villa.—
Helen Lewis,
The Atlantic,
16 Mar. 2025
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Obama himself had to lecture black men testily about the need to turn out for Harris, suggesting their reluctance was due to sexism, but Biden’s numbers with this demographic were worse.—
W. James Antle III,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
14 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The controversy is intensifying, with U.S. Chief Justice John Roberts having now publicly reprimanded the president after a social media post in which Trump called for the impeachment of Chief Judge James Boasberg of the U.S. District Court for Washington, D.C. — the ...—
Andrew C. McCarthy,
National Review,
19 Mar. 2025
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At the time, the House of Representatives, with the Democrats holding the majority, voted to reprimand Wilson, who later issued an apology to Obama.—
Bill Hutchinson,
ABC News,
5 Mar. 2025
Verb
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In social media posts, Kennedy has largely blamed obesity on seed oils—a claim that nutrition experts dispute.—
Perri Ormont Blumberg,
TIME,
19 Mar. 2025
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Losing at home to Tennessee, even with a backup quarterback, and at home to Arizona cannot be blamed entirely on the front office.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
19 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Musk has repeatedly criticized Social Security, one of the government's most popular programs, and DOGE staffers have been working inside the agency.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
11 Mar. 2025
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Hutchins’ mother, Olga Solovey, has criticized Baldwin’s response.—
Rachel Brodsky,
TIME,
11 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rag.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rag. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.
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