Synonyms of ragged

ragged 1 of 2

adjective

ˈra-gəd 

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• jagged
• broken
• scraggly
• craggy
• scraggy
• rugged
• serrated
• rough
• roughened
• serrate
• harsh
• irregular
• saw-toothed
• coarse
• bumpy
• nonuniform

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• clean
• soft
• smooth
• regular
• uniform
• even
• unbroken
• flat
• level
• flush
• plane

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• tattered
• faded
• frayed
• raggedy
• shabby
• seedy
• ratty
• threadbare
• shredded
• scruffy
• worn-out
• dingy
• dilapidated
• dowdy
• patchy
• mangy
• decrepit
• lacerate
• tatterdemalion
• grungy
• holey
• broken-down
• tacky
• scuzzy
• dog-eared
• run-down
• moth-eaten

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unused
• new
• brand-new
• spick-and-span

3

as in uneven

not having a level or smooth surface

she cut herself on the ragged edge of the tin can's lid

Synonyms & Similar Words

• jagged
• uneven
• rugged
• rough
• broken
• irregular
• roughened
• coarse
• lumpy
• wavy
• bumpy
• scraggy
• pebbly
• lopsided
• unbalanced
• rutted
• undulating
• harsh
• pocked
• unaligned
• pitted
• scraggly
• inexact
• undulatory
• scratchy
• knobby
• knobbly
• nubby
• nonuniform
• knurled
• rutty
• burred
• nubbly
• sandpapery
• knurly

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• smooth
• uniform
• flat
• even
• regular
• level
• true
• exact
• aligned
• vertical
• plane
• straight
• horizontal
• tabular
• plumb
• flush

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• tattered
• raggedy
• out at elbows
• scruffy
• shabby
• bedraggled
• ragtag
• tatterdemalion
• scroungy
• threadbare
• down-at-the-heels

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• decked (out)
• spiffy
• dressed up
• dolled up

ragged

2 of 2

verb

past tense of rag

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• scolded
• lectured
• reprimanded
• criticized
• blamed
• flayed
• berated
• upbraided
• attacked
• chewed out
• laid into
• hammered
• mocked
• admonished
• chastised
• rebuked
• called down
• bawled out
• reamed (out)
• dressed down
• jawed
• castigated
• lambasted
• basted
• tongue-lashed
• scored
• faulted
• reproached
• keelhauled
• ranted (at)
• railed (at or against)
• rated
• lashed
• slammed
• knocked
• assailed
• took to task
• blasted
• abused
• read the riot act (to)
• chid
• reviled
• scourged
• crucified
• panned
• excoriated
• disparaged
• condemned
• ridiculed
• denounced
• harangued
• remonstrated (with)
• belittled
• reproved
• vituperated
• reprehended
• scorned
• laced (into)
• scoffed
• censured
• bad-mouthed
• dissed
• put down

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• approved
• endorsed
• sanctioned
• praised
• extolled
• lauded

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of ragged

Adjective

Villa were ragged and lacked rhythm, with Emery still in the early stages of figuring out his new-look side. — Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026

James roves among the attackers’ perspectives before and during the event, his experimental style, psychological acuity, and ragged lyricism on display. — Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 31 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