1
as in ragged
wearing torn or worn-out clothes
arrived at the shelter tattered and exhausted
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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 tattered
Frank Rizzo, Variety, 23 Apr. 2026
In the foreground of the painting was a car encampment with a tattered floral sheet woven through the windows, cloth tarps and couch cushions creating a shield against the elements.
—Julissa James, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2026
Many wore tattered flip-flops or shoes that offered little protection.
—CNN Money, 15 Apr. 2026
This fresh take on the tattered monster is startlingly personal for Cronin, with some of the movie’s nastiest images and ideas rooted in his real grief.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 14 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tattered
Adjective
Sadly there’s little wind beneath this uninspired musical’s thin and tattered wings.
—Frank Rizzo, Variety, 23 Apr. 2026
In the foreground of the painting was a car encampment with a tattered floral sheet woven through the windows, cloth tarps and couch cushions creating a shield against the elements.
—Julissa James, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2026
Many wore tattered flip-flops or shoes that offered little protection.
—CNN Money, 15 Apr. 2026
This fresh take on the tattered monster is startlingly personal for Cronin, with some of the movie’s nastiest images and ideas rooted in his real grief.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 14 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tattered
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tattered
Adjective
-
In goes a scoop of lard, then eight corn tortillas, fanned out and briskly dressed with onions, salsas rojo and verde, and ragged strips of beef.—
Ligaya Mishan,
New York Times,
11 May 2026
-
Few have gotten more out of three ragged chords than Diamond did in his first Top 10 single.—
Mikael Wood,
Los Angeles Times,
6 May 2026
Adjective
-
Leaving the faded flowers on these plants will ensure seeds develop to nurture the next generation of blooms.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
12 May 2026
-
When deadheading, cut where the blossom's stem joins the rest of the plant—in other words, remove not only the faded flower, but the tiny stem attached to it as well.—
Samantha Johnson,
Martha Stewart,
10 May 2026
Verb
-
Meanwhile, male athletes get ripped to shreds 24/7 on television, radio, podcasts and social media without anyone questioning whether the existence of criticism itself is harmful to the sport.—
Amber Harding OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
14 May 2026
-
Ensure the item is in working condition and not damaged, broken, or ripped.—
Alexandra Kelly,
Martha Stewart,
13 May 2026
Adjective
-
Alcohol might be involved on one or both sides, and frayed nerves are pretty much guaranteed for the listener.—
Karla Walsh,
Southern Living,
12 May 2026
-
The star of The Devil Wears Prada 2 stepped out in New York City wearing a pair of light blue baggy jeans with frayed hems.—
Jamie Allison Sanders,
PEOPLE,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
They were killed when a Russian missile tore through their Kyiv apartment building on May 14, burying them under rubble.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
19 May 2026
-
The Cottonwood Fire also tore through Nebraska, scorching 129,253 acres.—
Kailey Schuyler,
FOXNews.com,
19 May 2026
Verb
-
There were two primary concerns, however, that shredded Murakami’s market.—
Sam Blum,
New York Times,
13 May 2026
-
If this is the case, the social order is shredded beyond repair.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
4 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tattered.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tattered. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
