rattled; rattling
ˈrat-liŋ 
ˈra-tᵊl-iŋ
1
: to make a rapid succession of short sharp noises
the windows rattled in the wind
2
: to chatter incessantly and aimlessly
3
: to move with a clatter or rattle
also
: to be or move about in a place or station too large or grand
rattled around the big old house
1
a
: a device that produces a rattle
specifically
: a case containing pellets used as a baby's toy
b
: the sound-producing organ on a rattlesnake's tail
3
Synonyms
Examples of rattle in a Sentence
Verb (1)
the children tromped through the kitchen, making the plates on the shelf rattle
busily rattling away about our vacation plans, we didn't listen to the announcements and missed our flight
she rattled on and on about all her European shopping trips, but I wasn't really listening
don't let a little mistake rattle you while you're playing during the piano recital
Noun
I'd go nuts if I had to endure the rattle of that bottling plant every day.
Recent Examples on the Web
Tobias Burns, The Hill, 5 Nov. 2024
Just before our trip began, a group of St. Louis Neo Nazis had draped swastikas on an overpass in an act of pre-election saber rattling.
—Dan Sheehan, Rolling Stone, 4 Nov. 2024
Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 13 Sep. 2024
The sound design booms and rattles, the delusions are even more elaborate and the body horror is even bloodier and more disturbing.
—Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 18 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for rattle 
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Verb
Trump, who has held an edge on the economy in most polls, has been going full bore on the issue, proposing a bevy of individual tax breaks and general tariffs that could rattle the world of international trade.
—Tobias Burns, The Hill, 5 Nov. 2024
Just before our trip began, a group of St. Louis Neo Nazis had draped swastikas on an overpass in an act of pre-election saber rattling.
—Dan Sheehan, Rolling Stone, 4 Nov. 2024
Noun
Bashful Bunny Ring Rattle $16 Nordstrom Jellycat’s ridiculously cute toys are slowly taking over the world, and this ring rattle is a rare pick that comes in under $20.
—Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 13 Sep. 2024
The sound design booms and rattles, the delusions are even more elaborate and the body horror is even bloodier and more disturbing.
—Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 18 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for rattle
Dictionary Entries Near rattle
Cite this Entry
“Rattle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rattle. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
rattle
1 of 2 verb
rat·tle
ˈrat-ᵊl
rattled; rattling
ˈrat-liŋ
-ᵊl-iŋ
1
: to make or cause to make a rattle
windows rattling in the wind
2
: chatter sense 2
rattled on and on about the party
3
: to move with a rattle
the old truck rattled down the street
4
: to say or do in a brisk lively way
rattled off the answers
5
: to disturb the calmness of : upset
the question rattled the speaker
rattle
2 of 2 noun1
: a series of short sharp sounds : clatter
2
: a device (as a toy) for making a rattling sound
3
: a rattling organ at the end of a rattlesnake's tail made up of horny joints
Medical Definition
rattle
noun
rat·tle
ˈrat-ᵊl
1
: the sound-producing organ on a rattlesnake's tail
2
: a throat noise caused by air passing through mucus
specifically
: death rattle compare rale, rhonchus
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