as in to tear
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
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as in shred
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of tatter
Nathan Taylor Pemberton, New York Times, 20 Jan. 2020
So where did Ransom’s tattered cozy knit end up after filming wrapped?
—Ale Russian, PEOPLE.com, 26 Dec. 2019
Kevin Barry, Harper's Magazine, 2 July 2024
Smith’s office is now consigned to assess the tatters in which the court’s ruling has left its prosecution and determine, like a homeowner after a tornado has touched down, what can be salvaged.
—Ruth Marcus, Washington Post, 1 July 2024
See All Example Sentences for tatter
Verb
Coming down that highway, one’s arrival was confirmed by a row of flag poles holding international flags, tattered and generally ignored.
—Nathan Taylor Pemberton, New York Times, 20 Jan. 2020
So where did Ransom’s tattered cozy knit end up after filming wrapped?
—Ale Russian, PEOPLE.com, 26 Dec. 2019
Noun
Rourke himself approached the street at this hour in suave array and manic tatters.
—Kevin Barry, Harper's Magazine, 2 July 2024
Smith’s office is now consigned to assess the tatters in which the court’s ruling has left its prosecution and determine, like a homeowner after a tornado has touched down, what can be salvaged.
—Ruth Marcus, Washington Post, 1 July 2024
See All Example Sentences for tatter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tatter
Verb
-
Suddenly, there’s dozens of supervillains tearing the place (and each other) apart.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
7 Nov. 2025
-
The shots tore Lee’s face apart.—
Equal Justice Initiative,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
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The Broncos put up negative net yardage on a whopping four drives, and only found a shred of fourth-quarter magic in Nix’s right arm on a late third-down rollout to Franklin to help put the game away.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
7 Nov. 2025
-
But the unfixed nature of trauma colors even the most vivid of memories with shreds of doubt.—
Zoey Lyttle,
PEOPLE,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Midway through the third quarter, true freshman linebacker Mason Posa, buried on the depth chart just weeks ago, ripped the ball loose at Washington’s 7-yard line and fell on it himself.—
Ira Gorawara,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
-
This is ripped from the news, our dark timeline.—
Andy Hoglund,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Doctors were reportedly unable to remove some of the bullet fragments from his face, and a bone near his eye was also broken.—
Jessica Sager,
PEOPLE,
9 Nov. 2025
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People from the Kansas City area who boarded the ship are highlighted on posters hanging on the walls next to artifacts like fragments of a first-class curtain, a door handle and a White Star Line envelope.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Recently, archaeologists found a massive stone basin in Italy dating back more than 2,000 years — remnants of a once-powerful rival of Rome.—
Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
9 Nov. 2025
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The transition will occur around December 1, with the main remnant of the PENN partnership being the linear betting show, ESPN BET Live.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
But just as my father and his family tried to breathe a sigh of relief and rebuild a fraction of their ruptured lives, Israel kicked them out again in 1967, this time to Egypt.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Nov. 2025
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Koolaburra by Ugg Burree Platform Slippers Fans of the popular Ugg Tasman Slippers will appreciate how similar this pair looks (and for a fraction of the price).—
Rylee Johnston,
PEOPLE,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Pine Ridge, South Dakota — A four-pack of rez dogs trotted toward the lone grocery store, greeting and tailing human companions in hopes of a spare scrap.—
Alicia Wallace,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
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Dispose of food scraps and rinse away loose dirt with warm water.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Plus, in the case that food gets neglected to the back of the fridge and does spoil, each piece is dishwasher safe for easy cleanup.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
11 Nov. 2025
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The Toronto Blue Jays have tried to add big-name pieces over the last couple of years in free agency, and that very well could be the case this offseason after just missing out on a World Series title.—
Patrick McAvoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tatter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tatter. Accessed 11 Nov. 2025.
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