rat (on)

Definition of rat (on)next
1
as in to split (on)
to give information (as to the authorities) about another's improper or unlawful activities how much—or how little—did the fuzz have to pay you to rat on us?

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in to desert
to leave (a cause or party) often in order to take up another many party operatives ratted on the senator's candidacy once her poll numbers started to slip

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for rat (on)
Verb
  • Fleming by body camera footage, approached Parker, who was talking on his cellphone.
    Daniel McFadin, Arkansas Online, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Maybe a family watches a favorite performer together, while nearby strangers start talking because someone forgot sunscreen and their friend packed enough for six people.
    Svetlana Khachiyan, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • In August, Rome is deserted as locals ditch the sweltering city for the sea, but everyone returns in the fall, refreshed and energized for the season ahead.
    Laura Itzkowitz, Travel + Leisure, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The lowland deserts with cacti and catclaw brush are Gambel’s quail habitat.
    Ron Spomer, Outdoor Life, 19 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • This list is informed by The Athletic’s newsroom — including David Ornstein — and their reporting in the last days of the window.
    The Athletic UK Staff, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Any business, town or development group needs this data informing their decisions.
    Twila Moon, Washington Post, 31 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The Athletic reported on Monday that all parties have now been in direct communication to confirm the deal is off after City’s bid of an initial £75m and £5m in add-ons was rejected.
    The Athletic UK Staff, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Palal also rejected the defense’s contention that Davis fabricated his accounts to make money.
    Jonathan Landrum Jr, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Financing expires, talent moves on, and production slates are abandoned.
    Jack Dunn, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026
  • At an event overflowing with seven-figure hypercars and extreme technology, the car that exploded onto social media was one built around ideas that most of the industry has abandoned.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 25 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • It would only be cut off under much steeper reductions, the likes of which are not included in the next few years of Colorado River plans.
    Alex Hager, NPR, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Risk assessments should examine where a river bends, where slopes are unstable and where a single failure could cut off several communities.
    Victoria Milko, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2026
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.

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Cite this Entry

“Rat (on).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rat%20%28on%29. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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