1
as in ragged
wearing torn or worn-out clothes
arrived at the shelter tattered and exhausted
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in faded
worn or torn into or as if into rags
a hobo in tattered old clothes and worn-out shoes
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in ripped
to cause (something) to separate into jagged pieces by violently pulling at it
the little boy tattered that blanket beyond repair by repeatedly yanking on it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of tattered
Max Tani, semafor.com, 25 Aug. 2025
Despite its tattered state, the sofa's unique silhouette and designer pedigree drew astonishment on Reddit.
—Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Aug. 2025
Anhedönia’s promotional art featured tattered American flags, wood panelling, white lace, and church spires; her Southern-gothic alter ego, Ethel Cain, became the movement’s unlikely face.
—Holden Seidlitz, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2025
Regional sports networks, once a gusher for programmers and operators, have been in a tattered financial state due to cord-cutting.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 6 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tattered
Adjective
The tattered Condé Nast publication is among the survivors of what remains of the glitzy magazine world of yesteryear.
—Max Tani, semafor.com, 25 Aug. 2025
Despite its tattered state, the sofa's unique silhouette and designer pedigree drew astonishment on Reddit.
—Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Aug. 2025
Anhedönia’s promotional art featured tattered American flags, wood panelling, white lace, and church spires; her Southern-gothic alter ego, Ethel Cain, became the movement’s unlikely face.
—Holden Seidlitz, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2025
Regional sports networks, once a gusher for programmers and operators, have been in a tattered financial state due to cord-cutting.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 6 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tattered
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tattered
Adjective
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The original Toxic Avenger was made for chump change and wore its low-budget nature proudly, while this version, which was shot in Bulgaria in 2021 and involves both practical and digital effects, tries to evoke that ragged aesthetic while working with more resources.—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
29 Aug. 2025
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Frost is, by reputation, perhaps the foremost poet of rural, non-coastal New England — of birches and apple trees, of forests blanketed in snow, of pastures sliced by ragged stone walls, and of the flinty, self-sufficient kind of temperament that flourishes in those places.—
A.O. Scott,
New York Times,
27 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Williams, in a faded plaid shirt, gray hair sprouting from under a John Deere hat, paced.—
Molly Parker,
ProPublica,
4 Sep. 2025
-
While some might have a faded tie-dye shirt in the back of their closet and listen to the occasional Grateful Dead album, seniors across the spectrum are turning to cannabis—many for the first time.—
Peter Su,
Rolling Stone,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Eastern Washington’s first drive ended when defensive back Jaden Mickey ripped the ball out of a receiver’s hands for a fumble recovery.—
Jim Keyser,
Idaho Statesman,
6 Sep. 2025
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The zany battle reached a dramatic conclusion when Thing ripped Isaac’s mechanical heart from his chest, ending his life… again.—
Andy Swift,
TVLine,
6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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That’s why new parents should set some grandparenting ground rules as soon as possible to avoid nasty arguments and frayed relationships down the road, according to bestselling author and parenting expert Esther Wojcicki.—
Tom Huddleston Jr.,
CNBC,
27 Aug. 2025
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New member Kiirii also admits to frayed nerves while mentally preparing for the shoot.—
Footwear News,
Footwear News,
27 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Less than two months later, Diggs tore his ACL in a standard weekly practice at The Star in Frisco, ending his season before it could really get started after just two games played.—
Nick Harris,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 Sep. 2025
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Significant Injury Running back Austin Ekeler suffered an Achilles injury, and is believed to have tore the Achilles, though that has yet to be confirmed.—
James Brizuela,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Disaster as Proving Ground The organization’s first major test arrived in the form of Hurricane Helene, a violent storm that shredded parts of Western North Carolina in 2023.—
Jason Phillips,
USA Today,
10 Sep. 2025
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Cheddar cheese, shredded (about 1/2 cup) 2 oz.—
Sabrina Weiss,
PEOPLE,
9 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tattered.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tattered. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.
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