tattered 1 of 2

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
If your denim is tattered and worn beyond repair, don't worry. Heather Bien, Martha Stewart, 27 Jan. 2026 Worn Washcloths or Towels Go through all your linens in the bathroom, and discard any that are old, stained, tattered, or smell weird. Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 15 Jan. 2026 Decked out in a purple velour tracksuit, layered necklaces, a tattered blonde wig, and a tiara, Jimmy is the cult leader to a small, depraved group of satanists who claim to be the son of the Devil himself. Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Jan. 2026 Kick your tattered bath mat to the curb, and grab the Yimobra Memory Foam Bath Rug before the deal expires. Maggie Horton, PEOPLE, 10 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for tattered
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tattered
Adjective
  • Though few natural-history buffs realize it, many of them have admired the handiwork of this unusual company, located in the ragged outskirts of Oklahoma City, for decades.
    Jeff Wilson, Outdoor Life, 11 Mar. 2026
  • Daniel Arnold—whose street work picks up from Garry Winogrand and Joel Meyerowitz, but with a ragged edge of comic mayhem—goes wild on one of the show’s large walls.
    Vince Aletti, New Yorker, 6 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • And today, free tuition could be the PR tonic California needs to brighten its faded image across America.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026
  • There's the faded mural of Mount Lookout just below the ceiling.
    Keith Pandolfi, Cincinnati Enquirer, 6 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The canines ripped through tough hides, devouring high-fat tissue and leaving carcasses with soft meat on the bone—a perfect meal for ravens who seemed to follow the kill.
    Nidhi Sharma, Popular Science, 12 Mar. 2026
  • Strong tornadoes and large hail ripped through Illinois and Indiana Tuesday night, leveling homes in their wake and killing two people in northwest Indiana.
    Madeline King, Chicago Tribune, 12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • The smooth glass finish helps prevent snagging and frayed edges, which means less breakage and longer-lasting polish.
    Lily Wohlner, Allure, 5 Mar. 2026
  • The shredded sleeves of her Ashi Studio gown, frayed edges of her Dilara Findikoglu dress, trompe-l’oeil of her Margiela, fabric twists of her Roberto Cavalli, and shaggy accents of her vintage John Galliano are key touch-points.
    Alice Cary, Vogue, 24 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Decades after the highway first tore through our borough, children here still battle the worst asthma rates nationwide.
    Gustavo Rivera, New York Daily News, 10 Mar. 2026
  • Several of the Grand Canyon’s most popular trails remain closed after devastating wildfires tore through the park.
    Outside, Outside, 10 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • We were shredded apart and remain so, stained forever by mistrust and a sudden tribalism that seems to define us.
    Joe Soucheray, Twin Cities, 7 Mar. 2026
  • Recall that Trump in his first term shredded the multilateral nuclear nonproliferation agreement with Iran.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 4 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Tattered.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tattered. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.

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