Definitions

ragged

[rag-id] / ˈræg ɪd /

ADJECTIVE

worn-out; in shreds

Synonyms

STRONG

battered broken dilapidated disorganized fragmented frayed frazzled jagged mean notched patched rent rough serrated shredded torn

WEAK

badly dressed badly worn contemptible crude desultory dingy down-at-the-heel full of holes in holes in rags in tatters irregular moth-eaten poor poorly made rugged scraggy seedy shabby shaggy shoddy tacky tattered tatty threadbare uneven unfinished unkempt unpressed worse for wear

Antonyms

STRONG

complete even fixed nice polite smooth

WEAK

kempt new

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

This wasn’t “an argument between genteel parties in Congress,” William Hogeland writes in his history, The Whiskey Rebellion, “but…a guerrilla war on the country’s ragged margin, our first war for the American soul.”

From Barron's • Apr. 14, 2026

Facing obstacles – be they ragged clothes that triggered childhood bullying or high school classmates who ridiculed her for favoring country music over The Beatles – became a way of life for Dolly.

From Salon • Jan. 19, 2026

She added a thick black-and-white band above the ragged stitches and finished the blond rim with the traditional contrasting ticking.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 8, 2026

I thought he was excellent on the day and Spurs couldn't live with him - he ran them ragged.

From BBC • Dec. 15, 2025

There was a ragged burst of laughter; faint, but clear, it floated back across the evening air.

From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt

Vocabulary lists containing ragged

"Eleven"

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Chains

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From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler

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