rat race
nounDefinition of rat race
: strenuous, wearisome, and usually competitive activity or rush
Examples of rat race in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Repeatedly, the film emphasizes the healing (and romantic) potential of its protagonist’s turn away from the constant rat race of professional life in San Francisco. — Hannah Giorgis, The Atlantic, "Netflix Wants You to Ditch the Hustle and Find Love," 31 Aug. 2019 Older Chinese in particular have been enjoying going on nostalgia trips to North Korea, harking back to the days before capitalism arrived in China and turned life into a rat race. — Anna Fifield, Washington Post, "Chinese traders prepare for rush into North Korea. But sanctions still stand in the way.," 9 Aug. 2019 Ever dream of escaping the rat race, but feel too chained to your job or, more to the point, your salary? — Jon Gorey, BostonGlobe.com, "Meet the extreme savers, on a mission to retire early," 14 June 2019 In the fundraising rat race of New York City nonprofits, a $550 million inaugural campaign has the potential to raise people’s hackles. — Chloe Malle, Town & Country, "Is the Shed the Defining Arts Institution of a New New York City?," 14 Mar. 2019 For me, self-care means working out regularly, meditating, and taking walks outdoors in nature to escape the rat race and reconnect with the earth. — Jessica Cruel, SELF, "How 10 Powerful Women Practice ‘Self-Care Sunday’," 15 May 2018 Molina is joined by Laguna Beach’s Evie Cant and Edison’s Avery Dorff in the girls’ 3,200 rated race at Arcadia on Friday night. — Andrew Turner, Daily Pilot, "Locals competing at Arcadia Invitational have strong supporting cast," 6 Apr. 2018 Michael Ward and Michael Smaldone are two such people, who, after a career in the proverbial rat race of the high fashion world, have set up havens in Bellport and Sag Harbor. — Steff Yotka, Vogue, "A New Unisex Line Captures the Romance of a Secluded Life Out East," 24 Feb. 2018 By all accounts, the frenzy of competition among high-achieving young people is more intense than ever before: From middle school, if not earlier, kids are desperate to beat their peers on the next leg of the rat race. — Kyle Smith, National Review, "Happiness and Man at Yale," 9 Feb. 2018These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'rat race.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Keep scrolling for more