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
Relevance
as in shred
Related Words
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 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
-
Suddenly, there’s dozens of supervillains tearing the place (and each other) apart.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
7 Nov. 2025
-
The shots tore Lee’s face apart.—
Equal Justice Initiative,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The Riverside native shreds lesser defenses beyond the arc and above the break.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
3 Nov. 2025
-
The shred of good news is that this might finally get Kate into the White House, since Grace Penn (Allison Janney) is looking for a VP.—
Katie Campione,
Deadline,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Midway through the third quarter, true freshman linebacker Mason Posa, buried on the depth chart just weeks ago, ripped the ball loose at Washington’s 7-yard line and fell on it himself.—
Ira Gorawara,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
-
This is ripped from the news, our dark timeline.—
Andy Hoglund,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Doctors were reportedly unable to remove some of the bullet fragments from his face, and a bone near his eye was also broken.—
Jessica Sager,
PEOPLE,
9 Nov. 2025
-
People from the Kansas City area who boarded the ship are highlighted on posters hanging on the walls next to artifacts like fragments of a first-class curtain, a door handle and a White Star Line envelope.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Recently, archaeologists found a massive stone basin in Italy dating back more than 2,000 years — remnants of a once-powerful rival of Rome.—
Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
9 Nov. 2025
-
The transition will occur around December 1, with the main remnant of the PENN partnership being the linear betting show, ESPN BET Live.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
But just as my father and his family tried to breathe a sigh of relief and rebuild a fraction of their ruptured lives, Israel kicked them out again in 1967, this time to Egypt.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Koolaburra by Ugg Burree Platform Slippers Fans of the popular Ugg Tasman Slippers will appreciate how similar this pair looks (and for a fraction of the price).—
Rylee Johnston,
PEOPLE,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Pine Ridge, South Dakota — A four-pack of rez dogs trotted toward the lone grocery store, greeting and tailing human companions in hopes of a spare scrap.—
Alicia Wallace,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Dispose of food scraps and rinse away loose dirt with warm water.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The piece is a kind of mash up of Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom and Ezra Pound.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
4 Nov. 2025
-
In a 30-minute stretch, Ekko Barnhill, who was keeping track on a piece of paper inside, lost count of the number of cars that stopped at the building's side door.—
Daniel McFadin,
Arkansas Online,
4 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tatter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tatter. Accessed 11 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share