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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Recent Examples of shredding
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
Going back to the novel-shredding analogy, imagine trying to reassemble the book after it was shredded into pieces only 1 centimeter square rather than 5.
—IEEE Spectrum, 2 Oct. 2025
To say more would be a disservice to the nerve-shredding terror that follows.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Oct. 2025
Protect Your Plants Savvy gardeners suggest shredding aluminum foil and mixing it into mulch surrounding the base of your plants.
—Darcy Lenz, Southern Living, 24 Sep. 2025
Duluth’s Trampled by Turtles, the only local(ish) band in the day’s lineup, delivered a high-energy set, with Ryan Young just shredding the fiddle.
—Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 21 Sep. 2025
As of Thursday morning, the hurricane center said Gabrielle had 50 mph winds and was getting beaten up by dry air and storm-shredding wind shear.
—Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 18 Sep. 2025
Hall, North’s secretary, admitted to shredding damning documents related to the controversy.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 10 Sep. 2025
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
Going back to the novel-shredding analogy, imagine trying to reassemble the book after it was shredded into pieces only 1 centimeter square rather than 5.
—IEEE Spectrum, 2 Oct. 2025
To say more would be a disservice to the nerve-shredding terror that follows.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Oct. 2025
Protect Your Plants Savvy gardeners suggest shredding aluminum foil and mixing it into mulch surrounding the base of your plants.
—Darcy Lenz, Southern Living, 24 Sep. 2025
Duluth’s Trampled by Turtles, the only local(ish) band in the day’s lineup, delivered a high-energy set, with Ryan Young just shredding the fiddle.
—Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 21 Sep. 2025
As of Thursday morning, the hurricane center said Gabrielle had 50 mph winds and was getting beaten up by dry air and storm-shredding wind shear.
—Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 18 Sep. 2025
Hall, North’s secretary, admitted to shredding damning documents related to the controversy.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 10 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shredding
Verb
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For many hobbyists, the excitement — and gamble — of ripping packs is the best thing about the collecting experience.—
Mark Billingsley,
Sacbee.com,
13 Oct. 2025
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These were easier for ripping open to see the interior and for dipping by hand.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
11 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Synthetic chemicals called chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), commonly used in refrigerants and aerosol cans, were tearing holes in the ozone layer, letting harmful ultraviolet radiation pour through.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
25 Oct. 2025
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Photos of a bulldozer tearing through the wing’s facade went viral on social media this week, sparking criticism from historical societies and some political figures.—
Michelle Del Rey,
USA Today,
22 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shredding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shredding. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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