shred

noun

\ ˈshred

, especially Southern ˈsred\

Definition of shred

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : a long narrow strip cut or torn off

b shreds plural : a shredded, damaged, or ruined condition a reputation torn to shreds

2 : particle, scrap not a shred of evidence

shred

verb

shredded; shredding

Definition of shred (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1 archaic : to cut off

2 : to cut or tear into shreds shredded the documents

3 : demolish sense 2 sharp lawyers shredding hapless witnesses— Charles Krauthammer

intransitive verb

: to come apart in or break up into shreds

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Examples of shred in a Sentence

Noun

The wallpaper is in shreds. His reputation was in shreds after the arrest. He struggled to retain a shred of his dignity.

Verb

Shred the cabbage and add it to the salad. shredded some cooked chicken for the soup

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

One of the trauma surgeons opened a young victim in the operating room, and found only shreds of the organ that had been hit by a bullet from an AR-15, a semi-automatic rifle which delivers a devastatingly lethal, high-velocity bullet to the victim. — Peter King, SI.com, "NFL Combine Crash Course: Mike Mayock on the Best Prospects, Top QBs In Indy," 25 Feb. 2018 Neither the musical nor the film has a shred of reality to it—or, at least, any reality that a black person or a wartime factory worker would recognize as such. — Hilton Als, The New Yorker, "Anika Noni Rose’s Star-Making Self-Possession in “Carmen Jones”," 9 July 2017 The only take-away from that Saturday: a shred of denim. — Jason Pohl, azcentral, "From missing to legally dead: The search for Sheriff's Office posse member Sam Grider," 12 Jan. 2018 Those chances of going deep likely hinged on continuing to win and shutting out every last shred of negativity. — Martin Rogers, USA TODAY, "Mexico choked and now its World Cup run looks doomed," 27 June 2018 Jaxon's parents live in awe of their son, who has overcome every shred of doubt that science has presented him. — Sarah Schreiber, Good Housekeeping, "Jaxon Strong, Miracle Baby Born With Most of His Skull Missing, Just Hit an "Impossible" Milestone," 11 Nov. 2016 Perhaps another young woman, someone with a shred of pride and dignity, would have saved up her own money and bought the Speedy for herself. — Lynn Yaeger, Vogue, "A Handbag Named Desire: Desperate for a Vuitton Speedy in Working-Class Massapequa," 31 Aug. 2018 There's not a single corroborating witness, there's not a single shred of evidence. — Fox News, "Reps. Meadows, Jordan call on Rosenstein to testify," 27 Sep. 2018 As for his future at United, which has been labelled 'uncertain' by overzealous reporting keen to sensationalise every shred of information, Pogba says he is committed to his current contract. — SI.com, "Paul Pogba Opens Up on Difficult Spell Last Season & Brands Transfer Speculation as 'Just Words'," 5 June 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Tater Tot Casserole from Bow & Arrow 1 medium onion, peeled and diced 4 ounces butter 1 (12-ounce) can golden mushroom soup ¾ teaspoon salt 4 ounces shredded cheese, plus more for topping 1. — al.com, "Barbecue tips from Auburn’s Bow & Arrow chefs," 12 June 2019 Keeping all of those resources topped off requires players to constantly change up battle strategies, shredding, burning, bashing and blasting in equal measure. — Evan Lewis, EW.com, "E3 2019: DOOM Eternal hands-on impressions," 10 June 2019 But it has been shredded mechanically to small chunks 6 inches or less in diameter. — Jon Lender, courant.com, "Police search Hartford trash plant for evidence in disappearance of New Canaan mother Jennifer Dulos," 4 June 2019 Think red or green cabbage, carrots, dark leafy greens (spinach, kale, chard, mustard greens, shredded Brussels sprouts — anything that strikes your fancy). — Carrie Dennett, The Seattle Times, "Grain bowls are trending. Here’s how to make your own.," 28 Nov. 2018 Sadly, Roberto Alagna, as Samson, started out the night wobbly and stentorian, and despite some moments of ringing power, his tenor shredded audibly as the night progressed, concluding with a painful yelp. — Heidi Waleson, WSJ, "‘Samson et Dalila’ and ‘Aida’ Reviews: A New Direction Takes a Familiar Course," 1 Oct. 2018 Blogs and websites have chronicled every four-figure Amiri shredded jean, Saint Laurent jacket and Off-White sneaker — a de facto uniform if not a codified one. — Matthew Schneier, New York Times, "In the N.B.A., a Game of Clothes Horse," 20 Apr. 2018 TB Ingredients 1 ball of fresh pizza dough 5-6 Italian sausages, hot or mild 1 tablespoon butter, melted and cooled Mozzarella cheese, shreddedHot peppers, chopped (optional) Marinara sauce for dipping 1. — Nina Mandell, For The Win, "11 ridiculously easy and delicious last-minute Super Bowl recipes," 2 Feb. 2018 The tour lasts approximately eight hours, so while loved ones are shredding the slopes, this is the ultimate alternative. — Brandon Perlman, Town & Country, "T&C Travel Guide: Jackson Hole," 6 Dec. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'shred.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.