as in rapid
moving, proceeding, or acting with great speed
we drove off at a rattling pace
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in extremely
to a great degree
a rattling good storyteller
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in clattering
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
as in chatting
to engage in casual or rambling conversation
busily rattling away about our vacation plans, we didn't listen to the announcements and missed our flight
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in rambling
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
as in embarrassing
to throw into a state of self-conscious distress
don't let a little mistake rattle you while you're playing during the piano recital
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rattling
Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 22 Apr. 2026
Their play is a symphony of cheers and swishes, conversation and laughter, dribbling balls and rattling rims.
—Chris John Amorosino, Hartford Courant, 13 Mar. 2026
But others, where relentless, shelter-soaking rain is the aggressor, are no less vivid and terrifying, amplified by the rattling, percussive intensity of extraordinary sound design by Lena Esquenazi, Valeria Mancheva and Antonio Porem.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 22 Feb. 2026
Other than visible dirt and dust, signs that your bathroom exhaust fan needs cleaning includes a rattling or buzzing sound, reduced airflow, or excess moisture along the walls.
—Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 11 Dec. 2025
Here a number of the emigrants who arrived late were stowed away on a rattling floor of cane, covered with hides.
—Gary Kamiya, SFChronicle.com, 2 Oct. 2020
Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 25 Apr. 2026
Though brief, Yoon’s martial law decree threw the country into a severe political crisis, paralyzing politics and high-level diplomacy and rattling financial markets.
—ABC News, 23 Apr. 2026
Democrats would use every minute — turning a procedural workaround into a prolonged, market-rattling spectacle.
—Phil Mattingly, CNN Money, 22 Apr. 2026
But then, after weeks of saber rattling, the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran.
—Bella Bromberg, ARTnews.com, 21 Apr. 2026
Fermin, who has taken mask-rattling shots fairly frequently this season, was joking and talking with teammates after the game.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Apr. 2026
Teen takeovers are rattling Washington DC, as a string of large, unsupervised gatherings this spring has led to disruptions, police responses and growing concern among city leaders.
—Mike Stunson, USA Today, 16 Apr. 2026
Shaking global oil markets In a report published on Tuesday, April 14, the International Energy Agency (IEA) noted that global oil demand is set to decline in 2026 due to the war in Iran, which is disrupting supply flows and rattling markets.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 14 Apr. 2026
James quickly went by a defender on a back-door cut, took a pass from Luke Kennard and threw down a two-handed, rim-rattling dunk.
—Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2026
Adjective
And then there’s Bottner’s singing voice; from the deepest corner of his lungs comes a commanding bellow with a low, rattling timbre, like a cross between Bill Callahan and Jason Molina.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 22 Apr. 2026
Their play is a symphony of cheers and swishes, conversation and laughter, dribbling balls and rattling rims.
—Chris John Amorosino, Hartford Courant, 13 Mar. 2026
But others, where relentless, shelter-soaking rain is the aggressor, are no less vivid and terrifying, amplified by the rattling, percussive intensity of extraordinary sound design by Lena Esquenazi, Valeria Mancheva and Antonio Porem.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 22 Feb. 2026
Other than visible dirt and dust, signs that your bathroom exhaust fan needs cleaning includes a rattling or buzzing sound, reduced airflow, or excess moisture along the walls.
—Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 11 Dec. 2025
Here a number of the emigrants who arrived late were stowed away on a rattling floor of cane, covered with hides.
—Gary Kamiya, SFChronicle.com, 2 Oct. 2020
Verb
That includes the stories behind the backboard-rattling dunks and blocks on the basketball court.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 25 Apr. 2026
Though brief, Yoon’s martial law decree threw the country into a severe political crisis, paralyzing politics and high-level diplomacy and rattling financial markets.
—ABC News, 23 Apr. 2026
Democrats would use every minute — turning a procedural workaround into a prolonged, market-rattling spectacle.
—Phil Mattingly, CNN Money, 22 Apr. 2026
But then, after weeks of saber rattling, the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran.
—Bella Bromberg, ARTnews.com, 21 Apr. 2026
Fermin, who has taken mask-rattling shots fairly frequently this season, was joking and talking with teammates after the game.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Apr. 2026
Teen takeovers are rattling Washington DC, as a string of large, unsupervised gatherings this spring has led to disruptions, police responses and growing concern among city leaders.
—Mike Stunson, USA Today, 16 Apr. 2026
Shaking global oil markets In a report published on Tuesday, April 14, the International Energy Agency (IEA) noted that global oil demand is set to decline in 2026 due to the war in Iran, which is disrupting supply flows and rattling markets.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 14 Apr. 2026
James quickly went by a defender on a back-door cut, took a pass from Luke Kennard and threw down a two-handed, rim-rattling dunk.
—Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rattling
Adjective
-
Attendees donated blood and were provided free blood pressure readings, glucose screenings, rapid HIV testing and information on health and other resources available in the community.—
Francine Knowles,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Earthquakes' sudden, rapid shaking can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides or avalanches.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
27 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
These special releases can be extremely valuable, especially if only a small batch is issued.—
Nina Derwin,
Martha Stewart,
30 Apr. 2026
-
The innermost region of any solar system, closest to the parent star, will be extremely hot and subject to large amounts of radiation.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Now the cows are waiting expectantly outside the milking parlor, where Archie is clattering about to set up the milking machine.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Apr. 2026
-
In Manhattan, Henry hoofed through the city’s streets and into its clattering manufacturers’ workshops day after day, trying to drum up interest in her interchangeable umbrella.—
Shoshi Parks,
Popular Science,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Law Murray will be chatting live on our site for this one.—
Alex Kirshner,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2026
-
He could be seen chatting with his fellow inmates.—
Milena Malaver,
Miami Herald,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Throughout the latter two videos, Ivey spoke to the camera while driving his car and rambling through various evangelical talking points.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Mar. 2026
-
This rambling 1,200-acre Southern California ranch has both and much more, plus a supremely private and scenic locale on the outskirts of the historic community of San Juan Capistrano.—
Wendy Bowman,
Robb Report,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Tragicomedy repeats as embarrassing parody.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The Charlotte Checkers opened the AHL playoffs with a bang Wednesday, embarrassing the Springfield Thunderbirds in the opening game of the teams’ first-round AHL playoff series in Charlotte.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
At the same time as Panama’s government is earning more money from the newly brisk business in the canal, its shipping industry is being confronted by the geopolitical struggle in the same way as those of other countries.—
Alma Solis,
Fortune,
24 Apr. 2026
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The show, said to have been pared down to a brisk hour or so of celebrity walk-ons and sizzle-reel clips, will be held at Infosys Theater at Madison Square Garden, which has served as TNT’s upfront stage since 2014.—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
24 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
No, that stuff is all incredible and very much the result of good fortune in my career.—
Charles Bethea,
New Yorker,
26 Apr. 2026
-
What a treat to have both of these very different revivals opening on Broadway in a matter of days.—
Chris Jones,
New York Daily News,
26 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rattling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rattling. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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