ragged 1 of 2

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
3
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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ragged

2 of 2

verb

past tense of rag

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of ragged
Adjective
One such oddity — a ragged chunk of leather — is part of the Civil War collection at the Vicksburg National Military Park in western Mississippi. Mark Price july 3, Miami Herald, 3 July 2025 Bernthal asks over a shot of men walking toward a city at night as a ragged flag waves. Jordan Moreau, Variety, 1 July 2025 Slug and earwig damage often looks similar because these pests both chew ragged holes in plant leaves and do most of their feeding after dark. Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 June 2025 In any case, SpongeBob becomes more and more ragged as the days go by and Patrick fails to share the parental load. Josh Weiss, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for ragged
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ragged
Adjective
  • This plant is recognizable by its characteristic arrangement of leaves growing in groups of three with edges that vary from smooth to jagged.
    Christopher P. Holstege, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2025
  • Beads of sweat dripped in jagged lines from Brandis Rogers’ temples and the nape of her neck.
    Briah Lumpkins, Charlotte Observer, 14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • 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
Adjective
  • Back in April, Ulta had already slowed its rollout within Target, citing uneven returns and operational friction in certain locations.
    Brian Delp, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025
  • From the outside, staying in these uneven dynamics can look like passivity or even low self-esteem.
    Jenna Ryu, SELF, 14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • There is, also, something compensatory in a regard for faded footstools, thick boots and window curtains.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 4 Aug. 2025
  • Dial options include matte black, tropical brown, and vintage navy, all featuring creamy Super-LumiNova GL old radium markers designed to evoke the faded lume of historic tool watches.
    Matthew Catellier, Forbes.com, 30 July 2025
Adjective
  • After challenging hikes through Zion's rugged terrain, there is nothing more healing than relaxing in waters that remind us of Iceland's Blue Lagoon, the Dead Sea, or Japan's Hokkaido Island.
    Shelby Knick, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025
  • Shot on location across Cape Town and the Western Cape, the production embraces a rugged, sun-drenched aesthetic.
    Callum McLennan, Variety, 7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • My mother, just beneath her skin, housed a palpable rage, and my father’s cheeks were pocked and rough from ingrown hairs.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Aug. 2025
  • Battlefield 6 hype is losing a bit of steam with changes to its second beta run, involving new additions, controversial decisions and rough retreads of old modes.
    Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • There is a broken down vehicle on I-35 between 119th Street/Exit 220 and I-435/Exit 222.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 13 Aug. 2025
  • Over the years, Fox has sustained multiple broken bones, including both arms, his shoulder, his orbital bone and cheek and his hand, which resulted in a serious infection.
    KiMi Robinson, USA Today, 13 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Some of Mangione's supporters have left messages of praise for him, while others have criticized the fundraising efforts.
    Hannah Parry, Newsweek, 24 Dec. 2024
  • Bo French, the chairman of the Tarrant County, Texas, GOP, criticized Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Lisa Franchetti, alleging that an emphasis on DEI programs had undermined the military's effectiveness.
    Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 24 Dec. 2024

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Cite this Entry

“Ragged.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ragged. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.

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