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
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rag
Literary Hub, 24 Apr. 2026
That means shaking dusters outside to release particles, and washing rags in the washing machine along with a disinfecting solution of bleach or vinegar.
—Elizabeth Brownfield, Southern Living, 23 Apr. 2026
Peg Aloi, The Spruce, 8 Mar. 2026
First, use a brush or rag to remove all loose soil particles from tools and pots.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rag
Noun
Even on days when no one was bleeding and there were no damp rags in the corner, a stale odor remained, as if our blood had become its own animal, a fifth inhabitant of the room.
—Literary Hub, 24 Apr. 2026
That means shaking dusters outside to release particles, and washing rags in the washing machine along with a disinfecting solution of bleach or vinegar.
—Elizabeth Brownfield, Southern Living, 23 Apr. 2026
Verb
Each leaves different clues like slime trails, ragged edges, or missing buds.
—Peg Aloi, The Spruce, 8 Mar. 2026
First, use a brush or rag to remove all loose soil particles from tools and pots.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rag
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rag
Verb
-
McMahon likes to remind scolds that wrestling is a morality play.—
Zach Helfand,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Leon scolded Justice Department attorneys for arguing that the entire project needed to go forward for national security reasons, before previously distinguishing between the bunker below ground and the ballroom above ground.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Steve Kerr's new New Yorker interview sounds a lot less like a man eager to lecture Americans and a lot more like a man trying to clean up a mess he's spent years making.—
Dan Zaksheske OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
27 Apr. 2026
-
At Yale, where Garber began her career, Jacques Derrida was a frequent visitor, and Paul de Man might be found down the corridor solemnly lecturing on Nietzsche.—
Charlie Tyson,
The Atlantic,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Democrats filed a resolution to formally reprimand Mills in September.—
Mary Ellen Klas,
Twin Cities,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Jimmy John’s was once reprimanded for making sandwich makers sign them.—
Morris M. Kleiner,
Mercury News,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had blamed Washington for the failure of talks on brokering a deal to end the fighting, with a ceasefire between the sides still holding.—
April 27,
CBS News,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Some, like Steyer, argue the state has been held hostage by corporate interests and utility monopolies, while others, like Mahan and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, argue unions, trial lawyers and state regulations are to blame for high costs.—
Ben Paviour,
Sacbee.com,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Again, Gulutzan was reluctant to criticize his team too harshly given how close the series has been.—
Mark Lazerus,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
He was criticized for not spending enough time in the city and for his acceptance of unreported concert and sports tickets.—
Ben Paviour,
Sacbee.com,
26 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rag.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rag. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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