1
: roughly unkempt
2
: having an irregular edge or outline
3
a
: torn or worn to tatters
b
: worn-out from stress and strain
ran herself ragged
4
: wearing tattered clothes
raggedly
adverb
raggedness
noun
Examples of ragged in a Sentence
a boy in ragged jeans
You look a little ragged—did you have a rough week?
Recent Examples on the Web
The architecture matches the vibe; there's bloodlust in the air and even among the ragged fans who camp along the road outside.
—
Neda Ulaby, NPR, 19 Sep. 2025
But what really won the people over is the intensely conditioning formula that transforms dry, ragged cuticles with a potent blend of black algae, açai berry, and black caviar extract.
—Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
As such, his absence tore a ragged hole in the NFL’s TV schedule, and the audience numbers dwindled in kind.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 15 Sep. 2025
The original Toxic Avenger was made for chump change and wore its low-budget nature proudly, while this version, which was shot in Bulgaria in 2021 and involves both practical and digital effects, tries to evoke that ragged aesthetic while working with more resources.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 29 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ragged
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Neda Ulaby, NPR, 19 Sep. 2025
But what really won the people over is the intensely conditioning formula that transforms dry, ragged cuticles with a potent blend of black algae, açai berry, and black caviar extract.
—Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
As such, his absence tore a ragged hole in the NFL’s TV schedule, and the audience numbers dwindled in kind.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 15 Sep. 2025
The original Toxic Avenger was made for chump change and wore its low-budget nature proudly, while this version, which was shot in Bulgaria in 2021 and involves both practical and digital effects, tries to evoke that ragged aesthetic while working with more resources.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 29 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ragged
Cite this Entry
“Ragged.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ragged. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
ragged
adjective
rag·ged
ˈrag-əd 
1
: having a rough or uneven edge or outline
ragged cliffs
2
a
: torn or worn to or as if to tatters
a ragged dress
b
: wearing tattered clothes
a ragged child
3
: done in an uneven way
a ragged performance
raggedly
adverb
raggedness
noun
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