Definition of raggednext
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
Sharpen Mower Blades Dull blades create a ragged leaf edge, which is the ideal entry point for diseases. Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Aug. 2026 For someone running on five ragged hours of sleep, fixing sleep will do more than another workout. New Atlas, 7 Aug. 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
  • In a nuclear reactor or radiation shield, neutrons and photons travel across jagged edges, dense metals, fluids, and empty voids.
    Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 4 Sep. 2026
  • One armrest broke, and his fist hit jagged plastic, fracturing his left hand.
    Christopher Osher, ProPublica, 4 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • The tattered cypresses and long-needle pines damp out the shine of her tracksuit, closing swiftly around dog and girl.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 Sep. 2026
  • On a recent afternoon, the lanky, mustachioed Zucker, wearing a T-shirt, ballcap and small hoop earrings, bears little resemblance to his comic alter ego who sports a tattered suit with gag props stuffed in every pocket.
    Deputy Entertainment, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Heat and uneven rainfall have stressed forests in some areas, while timely moisture has kept others lush.
    Doyle Rice, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Waterproof formula—but doesn’t feel like a typical waterproof foundation, which can feel heavy and settle into uneven texture.
    Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 4 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • In fact, during testing, the handheld triggered nostalgic memories of playing Final Fantasy Legend and Mario Land 2 on long car rides to my grandparents' house, but without the eye strain and being scolded for playing in the dark as the sun set.
    Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 22 Aug. 2026
  • For over a year, the White House has scolded and threatened the Smithsonian.
    Kelsey Ables, The Atlantic, 20 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Not to mention, its faded ivy tone is the perfect autumn hue.
    Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Ben Rahilly owns an appliance store, a gift shop, a furniture store and a concrete business in Newberry, a faded logging town about 60 miles west of the Canadian border.
    Russ McNamara, NPR, 2 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Plus, its rugged IPX7 waterproof casing easily withstands rain, spills, and outdoor grime, while the 5,200mAh battery delivers a full 24 hours of non-stop playback.
    Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Great for more rugged adventures, like hiking through wet terrain or rainy days, the men’s Clifton 9 GTX is waterproof and features the brand’s comfortable Gore-Tex fit.
    Jasmine Gomez, Travel + Leisure, 5 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Luann patiently attempts to explain that the women don’t like being lectured to about their business affairs, only for Vicki to abruptly answer a phone call mid-conversation.
    Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 24 Aug. 2026
  • We’re also lectured early on that Cole is a chess master, but his alleged intelligence never pays off.
    Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • His rough exterior and no-nonsense approach tend to typecast him as a football machine devoid of personality or emotion.
    Colton Pouncy, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Mercury's rough surface, continually reshaped by debris hurled from impact craters, may have hidden the true extent of the loss, according to the researchers whose findings appear in the journal Geophysical Research Letters.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 11 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Ragged.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ragged. Accessed 12 Sep. 2026.

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