1
as in ragged
wearing torn or worn-out clothes
arrived at the shelter tattered and exhausted
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
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Recent Examples of tattered
Elwyn "bud" Myers, Outdoor Life, 11 Mar. 2026
Elsewhere, Jenna Ortega’s tattered Christian Cowan slip dress featured a thigh-high slit that would make Jolie proud.
—Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 2 Mar. 2026
The green cornice crowning the roofline had begun to fade, while layers of black paint and tattered posters peeled from the building’s exterior.
—Jessica Alvarado Gamez, Denver Post, 1 Mar. 2026
Enter Tyrannio, a Greek specialist in literature and libraries, owner of some 30,000 scrolls and famed expert on Aristotle — in fact, the same man responsible for restoring the philosopher’s tattered library after it was hauled to Rome.
—Big Think, 9 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tattered
Adjective
Our boot laces were broken and knotted, our tattered and ice-caked pants flapped around our legs, and at night our wet clothing froze stiff.
—Elwyn "bud" Myers, Outdoor Life, 11 Mar. 2026
Elsewhere, Jenna Ortega’s tattered Christian Cowan slip dress featured a thigh-high slit that would make Jolie proud.
—Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 2 Mar. 2026
The green cornice crowning the roofline had begun to fade, while layers of black paint and tattered posters peeled from the building’s exterior.
—Jessica Alvarado Gamez, Denver Post, 1 Mar. 2026
Enter Tyrannio, a Greek specialist in literature and libraries, owner of some 30,000 scrolls and famed expert on Aristotle — in fact, the same man responsible for restoring the philosopher’s tattered library after it was hauled to Rome.
—Big Think, 9 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tattered
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tattered
Adjective
-
On a ragged offense, Achane had a league-leading 24 runs over 15 yards and finished third behind Cook and Seattle’s Kenneth Walker III with 40 runs over 10 yards.—
Dave Hyde,
Sun Sentinel,
9 Apr. 2026
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Use sharp pruners or loppers for trimming trees, to avoid making ragged cuts.—
Peg Aloi,
The Spruce,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The names of the oldest Metro stations also contained micro-histories, so too the faded playbills of the theaters and chipped words at the tramcar stop.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Actress Letitia Wright attended a Prada event in a faded denim and leather jacket.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Western chimps have ripped infants from their Central mothers’ chests and battered them to death.—
Evan Bush,
NBC news,
9 Apr. 2026
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But in 1982-83, when another super El Niño occurred, storms destroyed multiple piers and ripped away a 400-foot section of the Santa Monica Pier.—
Alex Wigglesworth,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The works retain visible traces of labor—knots, frayed edges, layered threads—emphasizing the physical act of making.—
Olga Garcia-Mayoral,
Miami Herald,
31 Mar. 2026
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The present calamity is only exacerbated by the problems that already existed in their frayed union of over 20 years — including narcissistic tendencies for him and accountability issues for her.—
Sarah Rodman,
Entertainment Weekly,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The Chimney Rock Fire Department served as both refuge and command post when Helene tore through western North Carolina, bringing mudslides and flash flooding that ripped apart homes and washed away roads.—
Nicole Sganga,
CBS News,
8 Apr. 2026
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Joaquín Panichelli tore his right ACL while training with Argentina last week and underwent surgery on Thursday.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
At the point of impact, where buildings shatter and flesh is shredded, the war inhabits the material world of awful human consequences.—
Fintan O’Toole,
The New York Review of Books,
9 Apr. 2026
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Store shredded chicken in airtight containers.—
Allison Palmer,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tattered.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tattered. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026.
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