tattered

[tat-erd] / ˈtæt ərd /

ADJECTIVE

shredded

Synonyms

STRONGEST

battered dilapidated frayed ripped shabby threadbare torn

WEAK

badly dressed badly worn broken frazzled full of holes in rags in shreds in tatters moth-eaten poorly made rugged scraggy seedy shaggy shoddy torn to pieces unkempt

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.

The disintegration of Willy’s mind reflects its cause, the disintegration of the family for which he has strived and sold himself—and his tattered, tarnished soul—for decades.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

But in Tawila, an AFP journalist gathered rare testimonies from five former detainees, speaking to them inside fragile shelters of straw and tattered fabric.

From Barron's • Mar. 22, 2026

But we sense from her tattered sweater and blank stare a disconnection.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 19, 2026

A mix of government pensions, food handouts and subsidized housing provides an ever-more tattered safety net.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 30, 2026

Even though I could see it was a little tattered, mine was so beautiful because it was mine.

From "March Forward, Girl" by Melba Pattillo Beals

Vocabulary lists containing tattered

The Diary of Anne Frank

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Chains

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The Circuit

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