as in to tear
to cause (something) to separate into jagged pieces by violently pulling at it
the little boy tattered that blanket beyond repair by repeatedly yanking on it
Synonyms & Similar Words
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as in shred
Related Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of tatter
Chandler Rome, The Athletic, 15 July 2024
San Francisco is in a struggle to redefine itself after the pandemic left it in economic tatters and highlighted its longstanding problems with homelessness, drugs and property crime.
—Janie Har, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Feb. 2024
Hanna Flanagan, PEOPLE.com, 3 Dec. 2019
This store, along with other Starbucks locations throughout the city, would fall prey to similar assaults during the day, leaving dozens of storefronts defaced and tattered.
—Grady McGregor, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2019
See All Example Sentences for tatter
Verb
Their pitching staff then turned to tatters, heightening the importance of an offense that must mask it.
Including Tucker, seven of Houston’s qualified hitters finished the first half with an OPS+ of 100 or higher.
—Chandler Rome, The Athletic, 15 July 2024
San Francisco is in a struggle to redefine itself after the pandemic left it in economic tatters and highlighted its longstanding problems with homelessness, drugs and property crime.
—Janie Har, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Feb. 2024
Noun
So where did Ransome’s tattered cozy knit end up after filming wrapped?
—Hanna Flanagan, PEOPLE.com, 3 Dec. 2019
This store, along with other Starbucks locations throughout the city, would fall prey to similar assaults during the day, leaving dozens of storefronts defaced and tattered.
—Grady McGregor, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2019
See All Example Sentences for tatter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tatter
Verb
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The kids proceed to chase her through town before mercilessly tearing her apart.—
Megan McCluskey,
Time,
8 Aug. 2025
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If Ennis moves up too quickly and has a bad outing against a top fighter at 154, fans and critics will not hesitate to tear him apart.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes.com,
8 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The secret payout was wrong and eliminated any shred of trust.—
Mary Ramsey,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Aug. 2025
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This is because pre-shredded varieties contain anti-caking agents and preservatives, which help the shreds stay separated but also affect the cheese's flavor and texture.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
23 July 2025
Verb
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His left leg, almost ripped from his body, was held in place only by thin tissue.—
Michael Collins,
USA Today,
18 Aug. 2025
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Nothing rips me out of the ‘cassette futurism’ of this franchise more than clips from a movie that released in 2002.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
16 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Two algorithms then went to work: one assembling the fragments into complete molecular structures, the other predicting which of those structures would pack the strongest antibacterial punch.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
14 Aug. 2025
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For me, the early hours offer clarity before the day fragments.—
Marian Evans,
Forbes.com,
11 Aug. 2025
Noun
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These same groups later carried out many of the grisly sectarian massacres of Alawite civilians along Syria’s coastal Latakia province in March, which killed at least 1,479, mostly civilians, following attacks by remnants of the former Assad regime.—
Paul Iddon,
Forbes.com,
4 Aug. 2025
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In the summer of 2025, the Trumps swapped out one of the major remnants of the Kennedys' influence: the central lawn.—
Kyler Alvord,
People.com,
1 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The staple fruit cost a record-breaking $0.66 per pound in July — just a fraction more than the previous high set two months ago.—
Claire Malon,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Aug. 2025
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For small businesses, freelancers, educators, and startups, that means more control, more customization, and a lower barrier to entry—for a fraction of today’s cost.—
Jaime Catmull,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Whether describing a memory, a moment in the garden, or a scrap of conversation, the poems create the feeling of sitting across from someone who knows how to listen.—
Nia Bowers,
USA Today,
12 Aug. 2025
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Now, with the NFL and ESPN alliance tighter than ever, those scraps are shrinking.—
Leonard Armato,
Forbes.com,
9 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Mazzoli created a lush score that was alternately sweeping or intimate, sensuous or mystical, yet with a distinctive sound that was her own weaving a thread through the piece.—
Janelle Gelfand,
Cincinnati.com,
19 July 2017
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This is why the war stories of Tom Clancy are such convincing and moving pieces of fiction.—
Janine Barchas,
Washington Post,
18 July 2017
Cite this Entry
“Tatter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tatter. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
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