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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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
Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 29 Sep. 2025
The architecture matches the vibe; there's bloodlust in the air and even among the ragged fans who camp along the road outside.
—Neda Ulaby, NPR, 19 Sep. 2025
But what really won the people over is the intensely conditioning formula that transforms dry, ragged cuticles with a potent blend of black algae, açai berry, and black caviar extract.
—Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
As such, his absence tore a ragged hole in the NFL’s TV schedule, and the audience numbers dwindled in kind.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 15 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ragged
Adjective
Blades with ragged edges can be a sign of insects chewing on the blades, and tunneling below the surface or turf that can be lifted like a rug can indicate larvae are feeding on the root system.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 29 Sep. 2025
The architecture matches the vibe; there's bloodlust in the air and even among the ragged fans who camp along the road outside.
—Neda Ulaby, NPR, 19 Sep. 2025
But what really won the people over is the intensely conditioning formula that transforms dry, ragged cuticles with a potent blend of black algae, açai berry, and black caviar extract.
—Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
As such, his absence tore a ragged hole in the NFL’s TV schedule, and the audience numbers dwindled in kind.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 15 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ragged
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ragged
Adjective
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The morning light casts jagged shadows across the pink stone, catching the saguaro spines and illuminating them like desert saints.—
Rowan Jacobsen,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
-
According to one tale, the devil escaped from hell and formed the jagged peaks in one day’s work.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
By the end of the summer my catalogs were tattered and worn.—
Neil Sperry,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
17 Oct. 2025
-
The archangel of trendy-casual walkaroundfits (new word, please spread around) just stepped out in hip-hugging bootcut jeans, a loose and intentionally tattered white T-shirt, a gold pendant necklace, and dark sunglasses, an easy all-American look for a morning on the go.—
Elizabeth Logan,
Glamour,
7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The early days of the season have been decidedly uneven.—
Allan Mitchell,
New York Times,
2 Nov. 2025
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Special features include their grippy Vibram outsoles, cushiony FloatPro Foam pods, and extra underfoot protection against rocks and uneven terrain.—
Olivia Young,
Travel + Leisure,
1 Nov. 2025
Verb
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This came after Nick Saban jokingly scolded himself for not fielding Sayin during their weeks-long overlap in 2023’s postseason at Alabama.—
Alex Kirshner,
New York Times,
2 Nov. 2025
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Trump, then in his first term as president, scolded police in a social media post for not protecting the statue.—
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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By the years of the Great Depression, the clown came to represent the faded glory of the circus and reflected the weariness felt by so many Americans in crisis.—
Time,
Time,
30 Oct. 2025
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Scherzinger’s only familiarity with the material was Billy Wilder’s 1950 film, which starred Gloria Swanson as a faded beauty of the silent era hell-bent on a return to relevance.—
Tatiana Siegel,
Variety,
28 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Hoka Anacapa 2 Low GTX Trail Running Shoes While most hiking shoes have a more rugged, utilitarian look, these Hoka hikers lend more towards stylish.—
Jasmine Gomez,
Travel + Leisure,
25 Oct. 2025
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Hokkaido is known for its rugged natural beauty, cold winters and thriving agricultural and seafood industries.—
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Meanwhile, Cheen also lectured on the music industry across Asia and Australia.—
Andrew McGowan,
Variety,
21 Oct. 2025
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Augusta was a devout Christian who often lectured the Bible to her sons and blamed alcohol and women for the evils of the world, per the outlet.—
Jordana Comiter,
PEOPLE,
7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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This usually happens for a variety of reasons, including love biting, fear, anxiety, being a pet, frustration, rough play, social pressure, illness, or pain.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
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The Dolphins won six of eight after that rough start last season, and the team hopes that turnaround can be duplicated.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
31 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ragged.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ragged. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
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