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
Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 16 Feb. 2026
Others are worried the course will become a ragged field of weeds within weeks that could increase wildfire risk or attract homeless encampments.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
Dan Sheldon, New York Times, 11 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ragged
Adjective
In the absence of pro hoops, ABC found itself with a ragged hole in its Sunday afternoon schedule, which an exec named Dick Button proposed to fill by way of a new show titled The Superstars.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 16 Feb. 2026
Others are worried the course will become a ragged field of weeds within weeks that could increase wildfire risk or attract homeless encampments.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
Verb
On that night in March, to the surprise of nobody, Arsenal ran their mid-table Premier League hosts ragged, beating them 5-1, with Henry and Freddie Ljungberg scoring twice, and Kolo Toure netting the other.
—Dan Sheldon, New York Times, 11 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ragged
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ragged
Adjective
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From Buffalo Grove, the district goes northwest on a jagged path through Mundelein, Fox Lake, and into McHenry County.—
Steve Sadin,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Mar. 2026
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Rescuers said the conditions were treacherous, with deep drifting snow, jagged ice and extremely limited visibility that slowed efforts to reach the man.—
Ashley Carnahan,
FOXNews.com,
18 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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But there’s a certain magic in the tattered, the torn, and the un-trashable gear in our closets.—
The Editors,
Outside,
18 Mar. 2026
-
My tattered copy of the book has Ann’s acknowledgements at the front.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
17 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Everything—from the squat, one-story structure to the station wagon parked outside—had been coated in the same uneven layer of white paint, as if someone had tried, hurriedly, to erase it from the landscape.—
Adam Ciralsky,
Vanity Fair,
19 Mar. 2026
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However, adoption remains uneven across sectors, reflecting differences in digital readiness and creating varied credit implications.—
Lee Ying Shan,Dylan Butts,
CNBC,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
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But the Commission's chairman, Brendan Carr, scolded Amazon last week, saying the company should focus on its own satellite efforts, rather than criticize SpaceX.—
Michael Kan,
PC Magazine,
17 Mar. 2026
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In Zambrano’s case, Gee scolded the government over how the detention unfolded.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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And today, free tuition could be the PR tonic California needs to brighten its faded image across America.—
George Skelton,
Mercury News,
14 Mar. 2026
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Lucky Brand nails the baggy, wide-leg aesthetic with these ultra-low jeans that have a faded wash that feels perfect for spring.—
Eva Thomas,
InStyle,
13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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See the bluebonnets against the backdrop of waterfalls and rugged terrain.—
Marley Malenfant,
Austin American Statesman,
20 Mar. 2026
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The neighborhood/area This is rugged Malibu—high desert‑like terrain with sweeping mountain views and no beachfront frontage.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Thiel has previously written and lectured on the subject, arguing that the Antichrist is not necessarily a person but could come as a global government system.—
Christopher Lamb,
CNN Money,
16 Mar. 2026
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My father founded private hospitals south of Johannesburg, and my mother lectured anatomy, presiding over dissections and preparing meat dishes at home with the same attentive care — removing sinew and fat with a dedicated set of kitchen scalpels.—
Jan Steyn,
The Dial,
10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Based on the book by Bart Baker, Honeymoon with Harry follows a rough-around-the-edges man (Gyllenhaal) who ends up sharing an unwanted journey with his fiancée’s prickly, overprotective father (Costner) after a life-altering turn upends their plans.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
18 Mar. 2026
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Even if the promo is rough around the edges, Hartline creates a space that encourages creativity.—
Anthony Solorzano,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ragged.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ragged. Accessed 25 Mar. 2026.
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