as in to bruise
to cut (someone's flesh) deeply or roughly
The broken glass lacerated his feet. The patient's hand was severely lacerated.
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variants
or lacerated
as in shredded
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of lacerate
Laurie Woolever, Rolling Stone, 11 Oct. 2025
The songs are at times over-the-top, at others lacerating in their introspection about everything from the anxiety of aging to the anguished choice to terminate a pregnancy.
—Adam Bradley Luis Alberto Rodriguez Carlos Nazario, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2025
Sean Keeler, The Denver Post, 12 Oct. 2024
Reared in New York's indelicate political culture, Trump does not like to appear meek, using rallies and his Twitter account to lacerate rivals.
—Paul Schwartzman and Josh Dawsey, chicagotribune.com, 9 July 2018
See All Example Sentences for lacerate
Verb
Hell’s Kitchen, Kitchen Nightmares, and Gordon Behind Bars) in which cooks and waiters endure lacerating abuse by the chef, who is ostensibly there to help a restaurant improve its operations (but really to provide entertainment via humiliation).
—Laurie Woolever, Rolling Stone, 11 Oct. 2025
The songs are at times over-the-top, at others lacerating in their introspection about everything from the anxiety of aging to the anguished choice to terminate a pregnancy.
—Adam Bradley Luis Alberto Rodriguez Carlos Nazario, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2025
Adjective
The Georgia native suffered a lacerated liver in the Buffs’ win over CSU in the 2023 Rocky Mountain Showdown and missed three games, returning for a 46-43 home loss to Stanford.
—Sean Keeler, The Denver Post, 12 Oct. 2024
Reared in New York's indelicate political culture, Trump does not like to appear meek, using rallies and his Twitter account to lacerate rivals.
—Paul Schwartzman and Josh Dawsey, chicagotribune.com, 9 July 2018
See All Example Sentences for lacerate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lacerate
Verb
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To extract their minty flavor, bruise the leaves, then steep the mint sprigs in hot water (for the cake layers) and cook them in butter (for the frosting).—
Patricia S York,
Southern Living,
16 Feb. 2026
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Look for cushioning in the shin, ankle, and toe box areas specifically, as this is where an unforgiving ski boot can batter, blister, and bruise you.—
Jonathan Thompson,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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While sheets of paper, magazines, paperback books, and mail can be recycled, shredded paper is too small for machines to sort.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
15 Feb. 2026
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Shoppers can also buy the actual Velvetiser for about $150, with packets of shredded chocolate for sale as well, enabling them to bring the Hotel Chocolat experience home.—
Robert Channick,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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And police officers, even those who had been wounded in the Pratt shooting, were now facing vitriol from the same people who had lauded them a year earlier for their sacrifice and service.—
Denise Crosby,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Feb. 2026
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Two other people were wounded, including another police officer involved in the search for Thompson.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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In February 2025, Pradeep Kumar Sood was struck and killed while crossing in a faded crosswalk on Peachtree Street near AmericasMart downtown.—
AJ Willingham,
AJC.com,
13 Feb. 2026
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Manny Pacquiao’s attempt to extend his boxing career toward an Olympic appearance at 45 ran into age‑limit rules and concerns about the optics and health risks of watching a faded great take more punishment.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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With blond horizontal stripes dyed in her dark brown hair, bold black eyeliner and the smiley lip piercing, Liu has cut an alternative path to the top of a sport that long valued a specific kind of femininity.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
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The actress sported her septum piercing and her glam followed suit with her Gothic styling, with coiffed hair by styled by Hyungsun Ju and makeup highlights that included bold brows and a deep red lip by artist Alex Babsky.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
18 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lacerate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lacerate. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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