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Definitions

rattling

[rat-ling] / ˈræt lɪŋ /
ADJECTIVE
embarrassing
Synonyms
STRONGEST
awkward confusing difficult disconcerting distressing disturbing exasperating inconvenient perplexing puzzling shameful ticklish tricky troublesome troubling uncomfortable unseemly upsetting worrisome
STRONG
bewildering compromising discomfiting discommoding distracting mortifying
WEAK
delicate disagreeable discommodious equivocal impossible incommodious inopportune sensitive sticky touchy uneasy unpropitious
Antonyms
STRONGEST
convenient easy helpful straightforward uncomplicated
WEAK
comfortable unshameful
ADJECTIVE
talkative
Synonyms
STRONGEST
articulate chatty effusive garrulous glib loquacious voluble
WEAK
big-mouthed chattering eloquent fluent full of hot air gabby gossipy long-winded loose-lipped loudmouthed mouthy multiloquent prolix slick smooth talky verbal verbose vocal windy wordy
Antonyms
STRONGEST
quiet silent untalkative
WEAK
reserved uncommunicative
ADJECTIVE
talky
Synonyms
STRONGEST
wordy
WEAK
articulate big-mouthed chattering chatty conversational effusive eloquent fluent full of hot air gabby garrulous glib gossipy long-winded loose-lipped loquacious loudmouthed mouthy multiloquent prolix slick smooth verbal verbose vocal voluble windy

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“There will be more saber rattling over the Strait this week, and that could rattle markets and extend this stock market correction.”

From Barron's • Apr. 13, 2026

The blockade is rattling markets, but stocks are not giving up a lot of gains from last week, which came as the U.S. and Iran agreed on a cease-fire set to last two weeks.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 13, 2026

Bostic’s death was just the latest of a Black man in local police custody, Ali said, rattling off the names of Kevin Wicks, Donovan Jackson and others.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2026

“But you’re not rattling them off. They’re people that mean something to you; that you couldn’t be here without them.”

From Salon • Mar. 16, 2026

Our car is idling by the curb; the engine is rattling, the exhaust pipe emitting fumes in the icy air.

From "The Sea in Winter" by Christine Day

Vocabulary lists containing rattling

A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court

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Muffled

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