Synonyms of tattered

tattered 1 of 2

adjective

ˈta-tərd 

1

as in ragged

wearing torn or worn-out clothes

arrived at the shelter tattered and exhausted

Synonyms & Similar Words

• ragged
• raggedy
• out at elbows
• scruffy
• shabby
• bedraggled
• tatterdemalion
• ragtag
• scroungy
• threadbare
• down-at-the-heels

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• decked (out)
• spiffy
• dressed up
• dolled up

2

as in faded

worn or torn into or as if into rags

a hobo in tattered old clothes and worn-out shoes

Synonyms & Similar Words

• ragged
• faded
• frayed
• shabby
• shredded
• raggedy
• dilapidated
• seedy
• threadbare
• ratty
• worn-out
• scruffy
• dingy
• dowdy
• decrepit
• patchy
• mangy
• lacerate
• tatterdemalion
• dog-eared
• grungy
• holey
• broken-down
• tacky
• scuzzy
• moth-eaten
• run-down

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• new
• unused
• brand-new
• spick-and-span

tattered

2 of 2

verb

past tense of tatter

as in ripped

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

• ripped
• tore
• shredded
• rent
• ribboned
• rived
• broke
• split
• cut
• ruptured
• slashed
• cleaved
• lacerated
• mangled
• dissected
• incised
• dismembered
• butchered
• gashed
• hacked

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of tattered

Adjective

There was a phone book, camera film canisters, metal pins, the tattered remains of a baseball cap and an orange t-shirt with the outline of a giant thumbs up. — Rylan Digiacomo-Rapp, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 June 2026

Tying an Italian surname to the Outfit has become a tattered badge of honor in the antiquated newsroom of certain outlets with truth thrown to the curb. — Gary Grasso, Chicago Tribune, 26 June 2026

One-touch passing, feinting and ripping hard shots into a tattered net, each is super-charged by vivid daydreams of glory on the international stage. — Jason Motlagh, Rolling Stone, 22 June 2026

The look was created from tattered bootleg championship shirts in blue, white and orange, which were sourced from vendors in NYC this week. — Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 18 June 2026