rattle

1 of 3

verb (1)

rat·​tle ˈra-tᵊl How to pronounce rattle (audio)
rattled; rattling ˈrat-liŋ How to pronounce rattle (audio)
ˈra-tᵊl-iŋ
Synonyms of rattle

intransitive verb

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

transitive verb

1
: to say, perform, or affect in a brisk lively fashion
… rattled off four magnificent backhands …—Kim Chapin
2
: to cause to make a rattling sound
3
: rouse
specifically : to beat (a cover) for game
4
: to upset especially to the point of loss of poise and composure : disturb

rattle

2 of 3

noun

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
2
a
: a rapid succession of sharp clattering sounds
b
: noise, racket
3
: death rattle

rattle

3 of 3

verb (2)

rattled; rattling ˈrat-liŋ How to pronounce rattle (audio)
ˈra-tᵊl-iŋ

transitive verb

: to furnish with ratlines

Synonyms of rattle

Relevance

Verb (1)

Noun

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus
Choose the Right Synonym for rattle

embarrass, discomfit, abash, disconcert, rattle mean to distress by confusing or confounding.

embarrass implies some influence that impedes thought, speech, or action.

the question embarrassed her so much she couldn't answer

discomfit implies a hampering or frustrating accompanied by confusion.

hecklers discomfited the speaker

abash presupposes some initial self-confidence that receives a sudden check, producing shyness, shame, or a feeling of inferiority.

abashed by her swift and cutting retort

disconcert implies an upsetting of equanimity or assurance producing uncertainty or hesitancy.

disconcerted by finding so many in attendance

rattle implies an agitation that impairs thought and judgment.

rattled by all the television cameras

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
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.
Verb
Ceuta, SpainAP — Ceuta over the weekend no longer looked like a city on edge, but residents were still rattled by the events of the week. — CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026 Tolle navigated a tricky Dodgers lineup with poise and didn’t get rattled in the second after giving up the lead on Hernández’s homer. — Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2026
Noun
Stuttering lines, on the left, jerking up and down, denote the rattle of guns; on the right, the lines are all but flat, as silence descends. — Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026 Drummer Jay Russell kept to stark rattles, Sam Shipstone patched in his scratchy electric guitar, and Ryan Needham needled through grumbling basslines. — Victoria Borlando, Pitchfork, 24 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for rattle

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

Middle English ratelen; akin to Middle Dutch ratel rattle

Verb (2)

irregular from ratline

First Known Use

Verb (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

circa 1513, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Verb (2)

1729, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of rattle was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing rattle

Rhymes for rattle

See All Rhymes for rattle

Browse Nearby Words

rattish
rattle
rattle about
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rattle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rattle. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

rattle

1 of 2 verb
rat·​tle ˈrat-ᵊl How to pronounce rattle (audio)
rattled; rattling ˈrat-liŋ How to pronounce rattle (audio)
-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 noun
1
: 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 How to pronounce rattle (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on rattle

Nglish: Translation of rattle for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about rattle

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