1
as in dilapidated
showing signs of advanced wear and tear and neglect
one of those tatterdemalion towns of the rust belt where the factories closed down decades ago
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in tattered
wearing torn or worn-out clothes
an ill-equipped, tatterdemalion army
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of tatterdemalion
Overhanging his outer compound wall were the only two remaining shade trees in the citadel, one a dying oak, the other a mulberry tree, and within the compound was a tatterdemalion garden, where a scrawny pomegranate tree drooped with heavy fruit.
—
Rod Nordland, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2017
Rod Nordland, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tatterdemalion
Adjective
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Now, as soon as next year, the historic campus will transform into housing with 213 apartments as the city's Department of Metropolitan Development and private developers redevelop dilapidated buildings downtown into residential and commercial spaces.—
Alysa Guffey,
IndyStar,
2 July 2025
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But Spencer said replacing old, dilapidated buildings with newer ones could also put the district in a better position to compete with charter schools.—
Silas Allen,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
26 June 2025
Adjective
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On a visit to another small Ok. town, Cox spied a tattered awning that said Country Bird, which was the perfect name for her bakery.—
Gary Stern,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
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Living under a tattered flag of St. George, the people here have reconstructed some semblance of society by relying on traditional tasks and traditional attitudes.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
18 June 2025
Adjective
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What’s a neglected part of your ME—your health, learning, or joy?—
Nell Derick Debevoise,
Forbes.com,
10 June 2025
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But the area where these cuts will be felt most acutely is with respect to elder abuse, which is already a neglected area of health care and social services.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The breaks in these branches were more ragged and irregular.—
Tim Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
5 July 2025
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One such oddity — a ragged chunk of leather — is part of the Civil War collection at the Vicksburg National Military Park in western Mississippi.—
Mark Price
July 3,
Miami Herald,
3 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tatterdemalion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tatterdemalion. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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