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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of tatter
Nathan Taylor Pemberton, New York Times, 20 Jan. 2020
So where did Ransom’s tattered cozy knit end up after filming wrapped?
—Ale Russian, PEOPLE.com, 26 Dec. 2019
Kevin Barry, Harper's Magazine, 2 July 2024
Smith’s office is now consigned to assess the tatters in which the court’s ruling has left its prosecution and determine, like a homeowner after a tornado has touched down, what can be salvaged.
—Ruth Marcus, Washington Post, 1 July 2024
See All Example Sentences for tatter
Verb
Coming down that highway, one’s arrival was confirmed by a row of flag poles holding international flags, tattered and generally ignored.
—Nathan Taylor Pemberton, New York Times, 20 Jan. 2020
So where did Ransom’s tattered cozy knit end up after filming wrapped?
—Ale Russian, PEOPLE.com, 26 Dec. 2019
Noun
Rourke himself approached the street at this hour in suave array and manic tatters.
—Kevin Barry, Harper's Magazine, 2 July 2024
Smith’s office is now consigned to assess the tatters in which the court’s ruling has left its prosecution and determine, like a homeowner after a tornado has touched down, what can be salvaged.
—Ruth Marcus, Washington Post, 1 July 2024
See All Example Sentences for tatter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tatter
Verb
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The case has deeply embarrassed the royal family, especially his mother, who suffers from an incurable lung illness and who is torn between her role as mother and future queen.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
10 Feb. 2026
-
And that dislocation tore the labrum, which is the tissue that surrounds the socket and attaches it to the bone.—
Jenny McCoy,
SELF,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The Nuggets of three seasons ago finished guests off without a shred of mercy.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
11 Feb. 2026
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There is not a shred of doubt that the center is used to peddle the influence of Iran’s political Islam.—
Benjamin Weinthal,
FOXNews.com,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Of the 605 sites where a multiagency state and federal task force ripped out illicit cannabis plants, roughly 9% were on public lands — up from an average of 3% to 4%.—
Rachel Becker,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Feb. 2026
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The footage also shows the person holding a flashlight in their mouth and trying to cover the camera with a gloved hand and part of a plant ripped from the yard.—
Hallie Golden,
Fortune,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Information comes in fragments through family, messages and what people are able to share online.—
Emily Chan,
Vogue,
14 Feb. 2026
-
What is more certain is the fact that ASASSN-24fw itself is closely circled by gas and dust fragments, which seem to be the remains of previous planetary collisions.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
As more and more satellite megaconstellations continue to be launched into Earth orbit, some researchers are beginning to calculate the chances that people on the surface could be struck by the incoming remnants of these spacecraft reentering the atmosphere.—
Leonard David,
Space.com,
13 Feb. 2026
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The stellar remnant will contract to form a white dwarf, and while the planetary nebula will fade after perhaps 20,000 years, the white dwarf will continue to shine for many trillions of years before fading out.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
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These are a tiny fraction of the thousands of Iranians killed or wounded when the government cracked down on protests a month ago.—
Babak Dehghanpisheh,
NBC news,
13 Feb. 2026
-
In real traffic conditions, fractions of a second matter.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Cut with a floured 2 3/4- to 3-inch round or square cutter; re-form scraps as necessary to make six biscuits.—
Holly Riordan,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 Feb. 2026
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The Italian, now a free agent, is the favourite to be named as the next permanent Tottenham boss according to Betfair, as the team gear up for a relegation scrap over the final months of the season.—
Peter South,
New York Times,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
And so there was this discoverability piece that was a utility.—
Ben Smith,
semafor.com,
14 Feb. 2026
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These days, shopping for pre-loved pieces has never been more convenient, with resale platforms and online auctions offering access to everything from last season’s Prada sneakers to a rare John Galliano gown.—
Joelle Diderich,
Footwear News,
14 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tatter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tatter. Accessed 18 Feb. 2026.
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