rag

Noun

• a boisterous practical joke (especially by college students)

• newspaper with half-size pages

• music with a syncopated melody (usually for the piano)

• a week at British universities during which side-shows and processions of floats are organized to raise money for charities

• a small piece of cloth or paper

Verb

• break into lumps before sorting
  • rag ore
    

• censure severely or angrily
  • The mother scolded the child for entering a stranger's car
    
  • The deputy ragged the Prime Minister
    
  • The customer dressed down the waiter for bringing cold soup
    

• harass with persistent criticism or carping
  • The children teased the new teacher
    
  • Don't ride me so hard over my failure
    
  • His fellow workers razzed him when he wore a jacket and tie
    

• play in ragtime
  • rag that old tune
    

• cause annoyance in; disturb, especially by minor irritations
  • Mosquitoes buzzing in my ear really bothers me
    
  • It irritates me that she never closes the door after she leaves
    

• treat cruelly
  • The children tormented the stuttering teacher
    

Related words

• Synonyms: 
  tabloid , sheet , ragtime , rag week , shred , tag , tag end , tatter , call on the carpet , take to task , rebuke , trounce , reproof , lecture , reprimand , jaw , dress down , call down , scold , chide , berate , bawl out , torment , bedevil , crucify , dun , frustrate