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
Jason Ma, Fortune, 29 Sep. 2025
In the artwork, the 29-year-old is wearing a tattered white gown and a bright yellow parachute that is caught in a tree with a serene, blue sky in the background.
—Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 23 Sep. 2025
The emperor died immediately, and afterward his assassins dragged his tattered remains through the streets of Haiti’s future capital.
—Marlene L. Daut
september 22, Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2025
Petals become tattered and fall apart.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 21 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tattered
Adjective
Inflation remains stubbornly high and the economic outlook subdued, frustrating efforts to repair tattered public services and ease the cost of living.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 29 Sep. 2025
In the artwork, the 29-year-old is wearing a tattered white gown and a bright yellow parachute that is caught in a tree with a serene, blue sky in the background.
—Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 23 Sep. 2025
The emperor died immediately, and afterward his assassins dragged his tattered remains through the streets of Haiti’s future capital.
—Marlene L. Daut
september 22, Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2025
Petals become tattered and fall apart.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 21 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tattered
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tattered
Adjective
-
My breath is nervous and ragged but my will determined.—
Vanita Salisbury,
AFAR Media,
6 Nov. 2025
-
The result is a ragged primal scream of a film — not a cry for help, but rather, a bellow of maternal rage.—
Katie Walsh,
Boston Herald,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
By the years of the Great Depression, the clown came to represent the faded glory of the circus and reflected the weariness felt by so many Americans in crisis.—
Time,
Time,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Scherzinger’s only familiarity with the material was Billy Wilder’s 1950 film, which starred Gloria Swanson as a faded beauty of the silent era hell-bent on a return to relevance.—
Tatiana Siegel,
Variety,
28 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
-
As a result of that low demand and a massive decline in sales, producers in the Golden State have ripped out nearly 40,000 acres of vines over the past year, according to a new report from the California Association of Winegrape Growers (CAWG).—
Nicole Hoey,
Robb Report,
8 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Despite a still-robust economy, on paper anyway, lackluster hiring is adding to Americans’ frayed nerves, as is the erosion of federal safety-net benefits.—
David Goldman,
CNN Money,
4 Nov. 2025
-
The ropes under my hands, touched lightly, lightly, felt somewhat frayed and old, and the ironwood slats under my feet seemed occasional.—
Ryan Knighton,
AFAR Media,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The shots tore Lee’s face apart.—
Equal Justice Initiative,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
-
In western Jamaica, communities remain isolated after Hurricane Melissa tore through the island.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The clothing is shredded to reuse in padding or insulation, or baled and sent to other countries.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Now, with talk of overturning the 22nd Amendment and remaking the presidency in the image of a monarchical personal cult, that idea is being shredded.—
Dan Perry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tattered.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tattered. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share