1
as in dilapidated
showing signs of advanced wear and tear and neglect
one of those tatterdemalion towns of the rust belt where the factories closed down decades ago
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in tattered
wearing torn or worn-out clothes
an ill-equipped, tatterdemalion army
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of tatterdemalion
Overhanging his outer compound wall were the only two remaining shade trees in the citadel, one a dying oak, the other a mulberry tree, and within the compound was a tatterdemalion garden, where a scrawny pomegranate tree drooped with heavy fruit.
—
Rod Nordland, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2017
Rod Nordland, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tatterdemalion
Adjective
-
An operating license for a dilapidated Boba tea kiosk displays a 2024 expiration date.—
Audrey Pachuta,
Chicago Tribune,
9 May 2026
-
Zaragoza stationed his men on the high ground, hidden behind cacti, behind walls of dilapidated forts, in ditches.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
4 May 2026
Adjective
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Trump then asks how Epstein, in tattered, bloody clothes and a chain around his neck, is enjoying heaven.—
William Vaillancourt,
Rolling Stone,
17 May 2026
-
The sweater now has a deep V-neck with stylishly tattered edges, which Andy pairs with a button-down shirt and jeans.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
3 May 2026
Adjective
-
Focus on problems that are big, urgent and neglected.—
ByBryan Robinson,
Forbes.com,
9 May 2026
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Cinematographer Guillermo Garza shoots neglected settings like fine art, embracing the grime.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
In goes a scoop of lard, then eight corn tortillas, fanned out and briskly dressed with onions, salsas rojo and verde, and ragged strips of beef.—
Ligaya Mishan,
New York Times,
11 May 2026
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Few have gotten more out of three ragged chords than Diamond did in his first Top 10 single.—
Mikael Wood,
Los Angeles Times,
6 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tatterdemalion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tatterdemalion. Accessed 23 May. 2026.
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