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
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
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
See All Example Sentences for tatter
Verb
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
Noun
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
See All Example Sentences for tatter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tatter
Verb
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However, picking better candidates not only makes tactical sense but also removes much of the opportunity for the other side to tear them down.—
Kimberly Ross,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
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Less than two months later, Diggs tore his ACL in a standard weekly practice at The Star in Frisco, ending his season before it could really get started after just two games played.—
Nick Harris,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Destroyed in one second by my mother, its shreds tossed into the garbage can under the sink.—
Miriam Toews
September 3,
Literary Hub,
3 Sep. 2025
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But shreds of the original were repurposed and reimagined into a new statement.—
Katya Soldak,
Forbes.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The drought grew to 41 2/3 innings before Crim ripped JP Sears’ first-pitch sweeper 439 feet to left-center, scoring Hunter Goodman and Jordan Beck, who opened the fourth with back-to-back singles.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
13 Sep. 2025
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Cubs designated hitter Moisés Ballesteros ripped his first career home run right at Rizzo, who stepped up on top of the bleacher seats to make a play.—
Ryan Canfield,
FOXNews.com,
13 Sep. 2025
Noun
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What lingers are the fragments that weren’t rehearsed, a voice breaking, a note pulled from the back of a notebook, a chant that filled the room, a line spoken more to a spouse than to the cameras.—
Vibhas Ratanjee,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
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One of these middens spanned an area the size of five football pitches and was packed with the remains of the feast—up to 15 million bone fragments.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
13 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The key to smooth, easy travel days is preparedness, and while society has undoubtedly come to rely heavily on technology over the last several years, some remnants of the past are still integral to your travels.—
Merrell Readman,
Travel + Leisure,
14 Sep. 2025
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Similarly, the mega-wide legs on fluid trousers and the patchwork on an overall style reflected the brand's commitment to upcycling remnants, a hallmark of its approach.—
Roxanne Robinson,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
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In the years since Mendoza’s sentencing, as in the years before, only a tiny fraction of farms are investigated for potential H-2A violations.—
ProPublica,
ProPublica,
13 Sep. 2025
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Last but not least the DeFi sector – even with nearly $200 billion in total value locked – remains a miniscule fraction of the overall lending market and financial ecosystem.—
Sean Stein Smith,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Avoid adding smelly meats, fruit rinds or other sweet-smelling food scraps to your compost.—
Tanasia Kenney,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Sep. 2025
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Legacy picks at the plot scraps established in prior films, but largely operates as a peculiar standalone effort.—
Declan Gallagher,
Entertainment Weekly,
13 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The council is only one piece of PacSun’s broader creator strategy.—
Jamie Gutfreund,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
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Add one to your fall wardrobe before the classic pieces sell out.—
Jacqueline Tempera,
PEOPLE,
9 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tatter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tatter. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
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