Definition of tatterednext

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

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
Adjective
The trailer finds the film’s protagonists alternately hunting or fleeing the vicious creature — or creatures — through a tattered town known as Hope Harbor, a remote coastal village near the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) in South Korea. Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 9 July 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for tattered
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tattered
Adjective
  • James roves among the attackers’ perspectives before and during the event, his experimental style, psychological acuity, and ragged lyricism on display.
    Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Bristol Type 6, marked by ragged, jagged or fluffy edges, indicates stool moved through the colon too fast for water absorption.
    Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Not to mention, its faded ivy tone is the perfect autumn hue.
    Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Ben Rahilly owns an appliance store, a gift shop, a furniture store and a concrete business in Newberry, a faded logging town about 60 miles west of the Canadian border.
    Russ McNamara, NPR, 2 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Well, take a look at the devastation here where that flood wall ripped through this village on the Trishuli River, taking out most of this community.
    ABC News, ABC News, 30 Aug. 2026
  • The four-piece from Austin, Texas ripped through their midday set, where the blazing sun was no match for their energy (if a little hard on their face paint).
    Elisabeth Garber-Paul, Rolling Stone, 30 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • By the time Frey and Felder nearly came to blows backstage in the summer of 1980, however, those threads were too frayed to hold.
    Grayson Haver Currin, Pitchfork, 30 Aug. 2026
  • The pre-frayed hem on these stretchy flare jeans gives them a cool, Y2K feel.
    Annie Blackman, InStyle, 15 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • That was all going to set up a potential breakout 2025 season — before Worthy collided with tight end Travis Kelce and tore his labrum in the season opener.
    Jesse Newell, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • At least 22 people were killed and many injured when a fire tore through a crowded wedding in a Kinshasa neighborhood hall, as panicked guests jammed narrow corridors to escape.
    Saleh Mwanamilongo, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Served on a bed of jasmine rice, the bowl includes chicken tinga — a Mexican dish in which the chicken is shredded and simmered in a smoky, slightly spicy red sauce — roasted corn salsa, pico de gallo, avocado crema and sliced jalapeños.
    Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Mix them together along with sautéed veggies and shredded chicken before piling into a casserole dish.
    Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Aug. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tattered.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tattered. Accessed 11 Sep. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster