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
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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
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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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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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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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ragged
Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 12 Aug. 2025
This ragged archive amounts to a record of my thinking, or at least those bits that, for a moment, seemed worth saving.
—Dan Rockmore, New Yorker, 9 Aug. 2025
Appearing mostly along the bottoms of altostratus, nimbostratus, cumulus and cumulonimbus clouds, these are ragged shreds of the cloud that make up a continuous layer.
—Noel Kirkpatrick, Treehugger, 7 Aug. 2025
By the time the credits rolled my heart was ragged.
—Literary Hub, 7 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ragged
Adjective
Travis Kelce knows all about sacrificing, training and running your body ragged in order to play like a champ on game day.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 12 Aug. 2025
This ragged archive amounts to a record of my thinking, or at least those bits that, for a moment, seemed worth saving.
—Dan Rockmore, New Yorker, 9 Aug. 2025
Appearing mostly along the bottoms of altostratus, nimbostratus, cumulus and cumulonimbus clouds, these are ragged shreds of the cloud that make up a continuous layer.
—Noel Kirkpatrick, Treehugger, 7 Aug. 2025
By the time the credits rolled my heart was ragged.
—Literary Hub, 7 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ragged
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ragged
Adjective
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Most of the surface is made up of a fine dust with jagged edges because it hasn’t been weathered by wind or water.—
Jeremy Bogaisky,
Forbes.com,
2 Sep. 2025
-
Against all of this allegedly heady stuff, the score—by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross—intentionally jars us from encroaching drowsiness with chortling woodwinds and shardlike piano chords that are the aural equivalent of jagged Plexiglass off-cuts.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
29 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Of the roiling mass of restless natives, cranky artists and tattered idealists who rose up across the Southland this summer to flip off darkness and call America back to its better angels?—
John Lopez,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Sep. 2025
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Over time, exposure to the elements has left the dolls dirty and worn, with peeling paint on their faces, tattered clothing, missing eyes, and no hair, creating a chilling and eerie atmosphere.—
Natalia Cano,
Billboard,
4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Boise State played an uneven first half in Tampa, fumbling twice and committing a huge penalty that gave life to a South Florida touchdown drive.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
29 Aug. 2025
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This isn’t because the devices don’t work, but rather because the NHS has faced barriers like high upfront costs, limited specialist staff and slow, uneven implementation of national guidance.—
Kath Mackay,
Forbes.com,
29 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Lox's reaction to being scolded.—
Rachael O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Aug. 2025
-
The government lawyers were frequently scolded by federal judges who dismissed the accusations against Abrego Garcia as baseless and ordered that he be returned to the United States, since he was illegally deported.—
Evan Mealins,
USA Today,
23 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The 9th-century monastery rises from the plateau—its stone walls etched with faded medieval frescoes of apostles and Last Judgement scenes.—
Lewis Nunn,
Forbes.com,
24 Aug. 2025
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Its faded design lends it a vintage look — without the wear.—
Isabel Garcia,
People.com,
23 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The Marswalker has rugged wheels in each corner for gripping the steps, as well as a long antenna to sense angles and heights.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
6 Sep. 2025
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The two largest rams were lying down, seemingly enjoying their cuds and the panorama of Bear Canyon and the rugged San Andres Mountains that stretched beyond them.—
Tim Kelly,
Outdoor Life,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Vance lectured Zelenskyy and argued the wartime leader hadn’t shown proper gratitude for the billions of dollars in military assistance the United States has given to his country.—
Francesca Chambers,
USA Today,
28 Aug. 2025
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We weren’t being lectured to anymore.—
Dominique Fluker,
Essence,
19 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Homers reheat Royals’ cold offense The Royals’ offense has hit another rough patch.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
5 Sep. 2025
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Additionally, avoid using any pads or scrubbers with a rough surface that could damage the cabinet finish.—
Heather Bien,
Southern Living,
5 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ragged.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ragged. Accessed 7 Sep. 2025.
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