ragged 1 of 2

1
as in jagged
having an uneven edge or outline the Rocky Mountains cut an angular, ragged profile against the sky, in contrast to the rounded silhouette of the rolling, green Adirondack Mountains

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2
3
4
as in raggedy
wearing torn or worn-out clothes ragged and hungry refugees emerging from the jungle where they had been in hiding for weeks

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ragged

2 of 2

verb

past tense of rag

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 ragged
Adjective
Slug and earwig damage often looks similar because these pests both chew ragged holes in plant leaves and do most of their feeding after dark. Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 June 2025 In any case, SpongeBob becomes more and more ragged as the days go by and Patrick fails to share the parental load. Josh Weiss, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025 That one was the last one, the gold medal game against France in which the United States trailed by as many as 10 points in the third quarter before coming back to escape with a ragged 67–66 victory. Lizz Schumer, People.com, 23 June 2025 An unkempt lawn with ragged edges signals a lack of care to all who pass it by. Sophie Flaxman, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for ragged
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ragged
Adjective
  • The vastness of the canyon, with its jagged edges and rushing rivers.
    Shelby Slade, AZCentral.com, 16 July 2025
  • Major stock indexes continued their jagged descent downward in morning trading Tuesday after tumbling Monday.
    Tobias Burns, The Hill, 9 July 2025
Adjective
  • On a visit to another small Ok. town, Cox spied a tattered awning that said Country Bird, which was the perfect name for her bakery.
    Gary Stern, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • Living under a tattered flag of St. George, the people here have reconstructed some semblance of society by relying on traditional tasks and traditional attitudes.
    Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 18 June 2025
Adjective
  • Long runs over uneven, rocky trail comes with its share of foot issues, but few sacrifices are greater than those poor keratin creatures attached to your precious foot fingers.
    Kade Krichko, Outside Online, 22 July 2025
  • The injuries have compounded an uneven season for the sophomore standout, who over her last seven games is averaging 12.3 points on 29.4% shooting, including 14.3% on 3-pointers.
    Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 21 July 2025
Adjective
  • Staining not only revives faded wood but also helps protect it from sun, moisture and insects.
    Angie Hicks, Boston Herald, 27 June 2025
  • Select a faded flower and follow the stem down, cutting it 12 inches or more below the bloom, deep into the plant to encourage more long stems.
    Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 June 2025
Adjective
  • Made from rugged canvas, the shell will last a lifetime.
    Christopher Murray may earn a commission if you buy through our referral links. This content was created by a team that works independently from the Fox newsroom., FOXNews.com, 25 July 2025
  • The Thai military has since claimed that more than 100 Cambodian soldiers have been killed as fighting spread throughout their rugged border, spanning some 500 miles.
    Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 July 2025
Adjective
  • The company had a rough second quarter, with automotive revenue falling 16% compared to a year ago — the second straight quarter of lower sales.
    Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Aug. 2025
  • Opening originally in the 1990s as Mean Streak, the old rough wooden coaster was given new life in 2018 with its transformation into arguably the greatest roller coaster of all time.
    Soo Kim, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • There is a broken down vehicle on I-40/US-71 from Longview Road to Red Bridge Road.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 1 Aug. 2025
  • The video, shot in New York, was directed by Amber Grace Johnson and shot on 35mm film, depicting Roan making her way through the city in cartoonishly long wigs and loathing about a broken heart on the subway.
    Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 1 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Some of Mangione's supporters have left messages of praise for him, while others have criticized the fundraising efforts.
    Hannah Parry, Newsweek, 24 Dec. 2024
  • Bo French, the chairman of the Tarrant County, Texas, GOP, criticized Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Lisa Franchetti, alleging that an emphasis on DEI programs had undermined the military's effectiveness.
    Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 24 Dec. 2024

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Cite this Entry

“Ragged.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ragged. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.

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