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
Relevance
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
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
From shredding documents to freezing your credit, every action adds a layer of protection.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Brit cinematographer Ackroyd, who shot The Hurt Locker and Detroit for Bigelow, as well as various Paul Greengrass features, including United 93 and Captain Phillips, is a master of nerve-shredding visual language.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2025
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
From shredding documents to freezing your credit, every action adds a layer of protection.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Brit cinematographer Ackroyd, who shot The Hurt Locker and Detroit for Bigelow, as well as various Paul Greengrass features, including United 93 and Captain Phillips, is a master of nerve-shredding visual language.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shredding
Verb
-
But don't go ripping out every touch of brass in your kitchen just yet.—
Tessa Cooper,
Southern Living,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Dancing With the Stars contestant Robert Irwin left judge Carrie Ann Inaba speechless after ripping of his shirt in the middle off his salsa with partner Witney Carson.—
Maureen Lee Lenker,
Entertainment Weekly,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Driven by Jonny Greenwood’s relentless score, the movie summons not only the images but the psycho-spiritual sensations of a country tearing itself apart.—
Graham Hillard,
The Washington Examiner,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Another loved that her 4 year old asked to build it again and again, gleefully tearing it apart just to redo it.—
Emily Glover,
Parents,
2 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shredding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shredding. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share