as in ripping
to cause (something) to separate into jagged pieces by violently pulling at it
shredded some cooked chicken for the soup
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Recent Examples of shredding
The stainless steel attachment includes a slicing blade, medium shredding blade, and coarse shredding blade that works exceptionally well for thinly slicing vegetables like cucumbers or zucchini, shredding cheese, and cutting firmer foods like potatoes or carrots.
—
Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 16 Dec. 2025
No, back in the day I’d start every ski season by shredding Dead Man’s Gulch, Pulverizer, Decapitator, and my other favorite double-black runs.
—Frederick Dreier, Outside, 2 Dec. 2025
And just for the record, layered MOFs aren't the only things capable of killing bacteria by shredding their outer membranes.
—New Atlas, 27 Nov. 2025
Instead of shredding the roast pork, as seen in so many versions — including the Cubano at El Puro — at Azucar, the chefs slice it to better achieve the goal of having the perfect ratio of meat, cheese and accoutrements in each and every bite.
—Timothy Depeugh, Charlotte Observer, 30 Oct. 2025
The show does not shy away from drawing direct lines to today’s Constitution-shredding destruction of democratic and societal norms.
—David John Chávez, Mercury News, 28 Oct. 2025
Stretch a pork tenderloin to feed 8 by cooking it low and slow before shredding the meat.
—Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Oct. 2025
Today’s screens within screens within screens are shredding my attention into bits.
—Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 23 Oct. 2025
The first 20 minutes or so is stellar at shredding your nerves, but each subsequent iteration of the scenario – often replaying the same interactions, just from a different point of view – feels less urgent.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 23 Oct. 2025
Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 16 Dec. 2025
No, back in the day I’d start every ski season by shredding Dead Man’s Gulch, Pulverizer, Decapitator, and my other favorite double-black runs.
—Frederick Dreier, Outside, 2 Dec. 2025
And just for the record, layered MOFs aren't the only things capable of killing bacteria by shredding their outer membranes.
—New Atlas, 27 Nov. 2025
Instead of shredding the roast pork, as seen in so many versions — including the Cubano at El Puro — at Azucar, the chefs slice it to better achieve the goal of having the perfect ratio of meat, cheese and accoutrements in each and every bite.
—Timothy Depeugh, Charlotte Observer, 30 Oct. 2025
The show does not shy away from drawing direct lines to today’s Constitution-shredding destruction of democratic and societal norms.
—David John Chávez, Mercury News, 28 Oct. 2025
Stretch a pork tenderloin to feed 8 by cooking it low and slow before shredding the meat.
—Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Oct. 2025
Today’s screens within screens within screens are shredding my attention into bits.
—Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 23 Oct. 2025
The first 20 minutes or so is stellar at shredding your nerves, but each subsequent iteration of the scenario – often replaying the same interactions, just from a different point of view – feels less urgent.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 23 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shredding
Verb
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The mayor called on ICE agents to leave the city, asserting that federal immigration authorities were ripping families apart and sowing chaos on Minneapolis streets.—
Juliana Kim,
NPR,
7 Jan. 2026
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When Miller tried to grab the mother’s gun, Adams tried to pull him away from it, ripping Miller’s shirt.—
Michelle L. Quinn,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
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McCoy earned first-team All-SEC recognition last season with four interceptions for the Vols after transferring from Oregon State before tearing his ACL during an offseason training session in January.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Jan. 2026
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But the city should have realized the import of the UM dorms and the impact of tearing them down and referred the matter to the board for a public discussion, Carbonell and Lejeune say.—
Andres Viglucci,
Miami Herald,
15 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shredding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shredding. Accessed 17 Jan. 2026.
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