SHRED Synonyms: 161 Similar and Opposite Words

shred 1 of 2

noun

ˈshred

Definition of shred

as in glimmer

a very small amount the vandals showed not a shred of decency

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

shred

2 of 2

verb

as in to rip

to cause (something) to separate into jagged pieces by violently pulling at it shredded some cooked chicken for the soup

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 shred

Noun

The food is stellar, as is the service, but there isn’t a shred of pretence about any of it. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Aug. 2026 The pork chop came with an unfamiliar vegetable, shreds of a green stalk. — Emma Cline, New Yorker, 9 Aug. 2026

Verb

As a result, these books might end up in a landfill, or, depending on their bindings, get broken down and pulped for recycling, or perhaps shredded. — Francesca Mancino, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2026 Going back to last fall, Engelbert’s future as the WNBA commissioner came into serious question when Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier publicly shredded her leadership abilities and exposed the details of a private conversation. — Annie Costabile, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for shred

Recent Examples of Synonyms for shred

Noun

Although the proffer glitch gave the defense what appeared to be a glimmer of hope, Long’s recording, too, was played for jurors.

— John L. Smith, Rolling Stone, 2 Sep. 2026
Peppered amid the challenges for 2025 were glimmers of hope through successes like Weapons ($270 million globally on a $38 million budget), while modestly budgeted reboots Freakier Friday and Final Destination Bloodlines also turned profits.

— Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of glimmer

Verb

Wildfires are ripping across parts of Indonesia, destroying precious peatland and smothering the country in a toxic smoke so thick, people are struggling to breathe.

— Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2026
This version is made by ripping open a single-serving bag of chips — say, Doritos — then piling in meats, cheeses, veggies, sour cream, salsa and other ingredients.

— Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of rip

Verb

Right now, nearly one million fragments of metal, paint, and shattered rocket parts larger than a single centimeter are tearing through Earth’s orbit at extreme speeds.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 9 Sep. 2026
With Thomas, Broberg, Joel Hofer and so many good, young pieces, there’s no reason to tear anything down.

— Jeremy Rutherford, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of tear

Noun

Danny Boyle adopts a similar strategy with this snazzy screen adaptation, shot through with kinetic energy, convulsive editing and a liberal sprinkling of post-punk, electro-pop and indie rock that thumbs its nose at period accuracy.

— David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026
Her clothes are simple but bright, with sometimes a bit of shiny thread or a sprinkling of sequins; décolletage is a thing of the future.

— Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of sprinkling

Noun

Fulham continue to play on the front foot, until a loose touch allows their opponents to clear.

— Thom Harris, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Designers gain flexibility and can reduce dashboard clutter, but drivers who could adjust temperature or audio by touch may now need to look at a screen.

— Mark Vena, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of touch

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shrank

shred

shredded

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Style

“Shred.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shred. Accessed 15 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of shred

noun

verb

Example Sentences

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