1
: torn into shreds : ragged
a tattered flag
2
a
: broken down : dilapidated
decaying houses along tattered paved streets—
P. B. Martin
P. B. Martin
b
: being in a shattered condition
led their tattered party to victory
3
: wearing ragged clothes
a tattered barefoot boy
Examples of tattered in a Sentence
a pile of old tattered books
arrived at the shelter tattered and exhausted
Recent Examples on the Web
Despite its tattered state, the sofa's unique silhouette and designer pedigree drew astonishment on Reddit.
—Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 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
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
See All Example Sentences for tattered
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 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
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
See All Example Sentences for tattered
Cite this Entry
“Tattered.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tattered. Accessed 27 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share