shredding

present participle of shred
as in ripping
to cause (something) to separate into jagged pieces by violently pulling at it shredded some cooked chicken for the soup

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 shredding Ravel’s patent application describes cleaning and shredding incoming textiles, removing metal and other nontextile components and separating waste into broad material categories before purification. — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 17 Sep. 2026 Kathryn Bigelow’s film narrows the Iraq War down to the nerve-shredding work of an explosives-disposal unit, with Renner’s Staff Sgt. — Joshua Rothkopf, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026 English rock and blues guitarist is still shredding and releasing new music at age 81. — Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 Aug. 2026 While conditions favor some development, the system is also expected to encounter storm-shredding upper-level winds, the hurricane center said. — Richard Tribou, Sun Sentinel, 15 Aug. 2026 That’s when an EF5 tornado tore through the metropolis of some 50,000 people, shredding a path several miles long and three-quarters of a mile wide. — Stephanie Hanes, Christian Science Monitor, 21 July 2026 Soon afterward, social media commenters were speculating about whether Sierra broke into the office or was caught clandestinely shredding documents. — Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 10 July 2026 Sized somewhere between the tiniest holes and the largest ones, this side of the grater is perfect for shredding carrots. — Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 9 July 2026 Instead of allowing for greater focus, the latest AI tools are overwhelming workers, frazzling minds and shredding attention spans. — Lila Shroff, The Atlantic, 18 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shredding
Verb
  • From Jonathan Allen to Bryan Cook to Boye Mafe to Cashius Howell to Lawrence, everybody had a hand in it — usually one ripping at Baker Mayfield’s grip on the football.
    — Paul Dehner Jr, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026
  • 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
Verb
  • People should be building others up rather than tearing them down.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 22 Sep. 2026
  • Penix, a first-round pick in 2024, started nine games last season before tearing his left ACL.
    — Daniel Flick, AJC.com, 21 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Shredding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shredding. Accessed 26 Sep. 2026.

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