rat race

noun

: strenuous, wearisome, and usually competitive activity or rush

Examples of rat race in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Just like in the US, getting a spot can be something of a rat race, in which high-income families invest more time and resources into hunting for space and getting off long waitlists. Rachel M. Cohen, Vox, 30 Oct. 2024 The implication that OpenAI is stuck in such a rat race is the most critical Sutskever has been of his former employer in public. Billy Perrigo, TIME, 5 Sep. 2024 The Atlanta talent isn’t bound by the politics, rat race, and constructs of how rappers are expected to move. Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 21 June 2024 Driven by the fear of missing out and determination to escape the corporate rat race, over 70% of the generation owns stock, according to NASDAQ, more than prior generations at the same life stage. Bysasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 16 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for rat race 

Word History

First Known Use

1937, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of rat race was in 1937

Dictionary Entries Near rat race

Cite this Entry

“Rat race.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rat%20race. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!