1
as in jagged
having an uneven edge or outline
the Rocky Mountains cut an angular, ragged profile against the sky, in contrast to the rounded silhouette of the rolling, green Adirondack Mountains
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in tattered
worn or torn into or as if into rags
finally convinced her to throw away her favorite pair of jeans, ragged from years of yard work
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in uneven
not having a level or smooth surface
she cut herself on the ragged edge of the tin can's lid
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in raggedy
wearing torn or worn-out clothes
ragged and hungry refugees emerging from the jungle where they had been in hiding for weeks
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in scolded
to criticize (someone) severely or angrily especially for personal failings
several readers called in to rag the editor for his paper's repeated grammatical lapses
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ragged
Josh Weiss, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025
That one was the last one, the gold medal game against France in which the United States trailed by as many as 10 points in the third quarter before coming back to escape with a ragged 67–66 victory.
—Lizz Schumer, People.com, 23 June 2025
An unkempt lawn with ragged edges signals a lack of care to all who pass it by.
—Sophie Flaxman, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 June 2025
In the clip, the small dog scuttles into the room clutching his ragged bear, which has a hole that has caused its stuffing to spill out.
—Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for ragged
Adjective
In any case, SpongeBob becomes more and more ragged as the days go by and Patrick fails to share the parental load.
—Josh Weiss, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025
That one was the last one, the gold medal game against France in which the United States trailed by as many as 10 points in the third quarter before coming back to escape with a ragged 67–66 victory.
—Lizz Schumer, People.com, 23 June 2025
An unkempt lawn with ragged edges signals a lack of care to all who pass it by.
—Sophie Flaxman, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 June 2025
In the clip, the small dog scuttles into the room clutching his ragged bear, which has a hole that has caused its stuffing to spill out.
—Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for ragged
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ragged
Adjective
-
In a profession that lives at the jagged edge of justice and humanity, showing up matters.—
Sonia Singh,
Rolling Stone,
10 July 2025
-
The end of the branch shows a smooth cut, but the bark layer has a jagged appearance.—
Tim Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
5 July 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
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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The pandemic may have accelerated long-standing public health challenges, and the recovery, the study makes clear, has been uneven and incomplete.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 July 2025
-
Spongy or uneven surfaces are caused by structural weakening from internal damage.—
Timothy Dale,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 July 2025
Adjective
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Staining not only revives faded wood but also helps protect it from sun, moisture and insects.—
Angie Hicks,
Boston Herald,
27 June 2025
-
Select a faded flower and follow the stem down, cutting it 12 inches or more below the bloom, deep into the plant to encourage more long stems.—
Andy Wilcox,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 June 2025
Adjective
-
Outdoor Enthusiasts: The RAV4’s available all wheel drive and rugged design, particularly in Adventure and TRD Off-Road trims, attract those who enjoy outdoor activities like camping, hiking, and both water and snow skiing.—
Tony Leopardo,
Mercury News,
13 July 2025
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Android users get an app and handy features, too, making these more versatile and more rugged than other Apple buds.—
Adrienne So,
Wired News,
11 July 2025
Adjective
-
Most young kids who are just getting used to their animal friends tend to be a little rough with them at first.—
Marilyn La Jeunesse,
Parents,
9 July 2025
-
While a canker sore is forming, that part of your mouth may also tingle, burn or feel rough.—
Jenna Prestininzi,
Freep.com,
8 July 2025
Adjective
-
Gustafsson was discovered lying nearby with a broken jaw, fractured cheekbones and a concussion.—
Christina Coulter,
People.com,
8 July 2025
-
As the girls sang, waves crashed where water shouldn't flow, tumbling through broken roads and structures turned inside-out.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
8 July 2025
Verb
-
Some of Mangione's supporters have left messages of praise for him, while others have criticized the fundraising efforts.—
Hannah Parry,
Newsweek,
24 Dec. 2024
-
Bo French, the chairman of the Tarrant County, Texas, GOP, criticized Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Lisa Franchetti, alleging that an emphasis on DEI programs had undermined the military's effectiveness.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
24 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Ragged.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ragged. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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