1
as in ragged
wearing torn or worn-out clothes
arrived at the shelter tattered and exhausted
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
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Recent Examples of tattered
Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 2 Mar. 2026
The green cornice crowning the roofline had begun to fade, while layers of black paint and tattered posters peeled from the building’s exterior.
—Jessica Alvarado Gamez, Denver Post, 1 Mar. 2026
Enter Tyrannio, a Greek specialist in literature and libraries, owner of some 30,000 scrolls and famed expert on Aristotle — in fact, the same man responsible for restoring the philosopher’s tattered library after it was hauled to Rome.
—Big Think, 9 Feb. 2026
Concerns about the project and the tattered state of the street have been raised at local community planning meetings, with some wondering whether the work had stalled for some reason.
—Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tattered
Adjective
Elsewhere, Jenna Ortega’s tattered Christian Cowan slip dress featured a thigh-high slit that would make Jolie proud.
—Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 2 Mar. 2026
The green cornice crowning the roofline had begun to fade, while layers of black paint and tattered posters peeled from the building’s exterior.
—Jessica Alvarado Gamez, Denver Post, 1 Mar. 2026
Enter Tyrannio, a Greek specialist in literature and libraries, owner of some 30,000 scrolls and famed expert on Aristotle — in fact, the same man responsible for restoring the philosopher’s tattered library after it was hauled to Rome.
—Big Think, 9 Feb. 2026
Concerns about the project and the tattered state of the street have been raised at local community planning meetings, with some wondering whether the work had stalled for some reason.
—Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tattered
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tattered
Adjective
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Rustan picked Sugar up as a rescue from the streets of Los Angeles, the small pooch missing three of her bottom teeth and in ragged shape.—
Laylan Connelly,
Oc Register,
30 Mar. 2026
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Getting the right amount of quality sleep can have huge health benefits, while getting poor sleep — or not enough — could leave you running ragged.—
Wakisha Bailey,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Actress Letitia Wright attended a Prada event in a faded denim and leather jacket.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
31 Mar. 2026
-
That fall, an old friend reached out to my father through the underground communications network, dialling a number printed on a faded piece of plastic Dymo tape and speaking to him from a public phone booth.—
Zayd Ayers Dohrn,
New Yorker,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The words could have been ripped from Davie’s final speech.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
2 Apr. 2026
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Thieves broke the windows of several cars in Lakeview and ripped out the airbags from the steering wheels.—
Shardaa Gray,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The works retain visible traces of labor—knots, frayed edges, layered threads—emphasizing the physical act of making.—
Olga Garcia-Mayoral,
Miami Herald,
31 Mar. 2026
-
The present calamity is only exacerbated by the problems that already existed in their frayed union of over 20 years — including narcissistic tendencies for him and accountability issues for her.—
Sarah Rodman,
Entertainment Weekly,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The Kankakee Public Library is stepping up in a big way after an EF-3 tornado tore through the county earlier this month.—
Noel Brennan,
CBS News,
31 Mar. 2026
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Seattle’s top back Zach Carbonnett has more recovery ahead after an ACL injury in the playoffs, and Kenny McIntosh tore his ACL last year and missed the whole season.—
Matthew Davis,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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But the Cavaliers, which entered with the NBA’s sixth-best offensive rating this season, shredded the Heat’s defense on Friday.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
28 Mar. 2026
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In January, the department implemented a new mail policy in which prisoners will receive photocopies of confidential and legal mail instead of the originals, which are shredded to prevent contraband from entering the facility.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
26 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tattered.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tattered. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.
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