1
as in ragged
wearing torn or worn-out clothes
arrived at the shelter tattered and exhausted
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
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
Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 May 2025
The bottom half of the dog's body stayed pinned underneath a tattered couch on a pile of trash as flies circled him.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Apr. 2025
The other traditional party, the Liberal Party, has splintered between those who remain loyal to Zelaya and those who led the coup, including Mauricio Villeda, the presidential candidate who leads a tattered vestige of his party.
—Dana Frank, Foreign Affairs, 22 Nov. 2013
What if standing up to Trump is the very thing that saves the Liberal Party, and Trudeau’s tattered legacy?
—Talib Visram, TIME, 7 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tattered
Adjective
Its tattered and faded copy of the Magna Carta is worth millions of dollars, Carpenter estimated—though Harvard has no plans to sell it.
—Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 May 2025
The bottom half of the dog's body stayed pinned underneath a tattered couch on a pile of trash as flies circled him.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Apr. 2025
The other traditional party, the Liberal Party, has splintered between those who remain loyal to Zelaya and those who led the coup, including Mauricio Villeda, the presidential candidate who leads a tattered vestige of his party.
—Dana Frank, Foreign Affairs, 22 Nov. 2013
What if standing up to Trump is the very thing that saves the Liberal Party, and Trudeau’s tattered legacy?
—Talib Visram, TIME, 7 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tattered
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tattered
Adjective
-
The breaks in these branches were more ragged and irregular.—
Tim Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
5 July 2025
-
One such oddity — a ragged chunk of leather — is part of the Civil War collection at the Vicksburg National Military Park in western Mississippi.—
Mark Price
July 3,
Miami Herald,
3 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
Verb
-
But the Hawks’ present-day problems ripped them right back into the here and now.—
Phil Thompson,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Jan. 2025
-
Milton’s hurricane-force winds ripped trees from already soggy soils, but its historic rain also flooded neighborhoods that had never experienced waters so high.—
Jack Prator,
Orlando Sentinel,
30 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
Photo: New York Magazine Bartsch leads the pack, dancing on a speaker (her favorite spot), wearing cutoff shorts, white leggings, red suspenders, and a frayed and cropped jean jacket with holes in the shoulders.—
Amy Virshup,
Vulture,
14 May 2025
-
After years of hostile and frayed relations, Iran and Saudi Arabia have agreed to reestablish diplomatic ties and reopen mutual embassies – a deal reportedly brokered by China that has raised eyebrows across the globe.—
Caitlin McFall,
Fox News,
21 Mar. 2023
Verb
-
The Carolina Panthers’ outside linebacker tore his quad on Christmas Eve last year in what turned out to be his final game with the Minnesota Vikings.—
Joseph Person,
The Athletic,
24 Dec. 2024
-
In its first game without Sixth Man of the Year candidate Moe Wagner, who tore the ACL in his left knee on Saturday, Orlando relied on a wide variety of scorers, with five finishing in double figures.—
Jason Beede,
Orlando Sentinel,
24 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Later Cardini shredded the leaves into bite-sized pieces.—
John Mariani,
Forbes,
8 Jan. 2025
-
One vice that Simpson shredded in 2020 was her battle with alcohol.—
Gord Magill,
Newsweek,
21 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Tattered.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tattered. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share