1
: torn into shreds : ragged
a tattered flag
2
a
: broken down : dilapidated
decaying houses along tattered paved streets—
P. B. Martin
P. B. Martin
b
: being in a shattered condition
led their tattered party to victory
3
: wearing ragged clothes
a tattered barefoot boy
Examples of tattered in a Sentence
a pile of old tattered books
arrived at the shelter tattered and exhausted
Recent Examples on the Web
Of the roiling mass of restless natives, cranky artists and tattered idealists who rose up across the Southland this summer to flip off darkness and call America back to its better angels?
—John Lopez, HollywoodReporter, 6 Sep. 2025
Over time, exposure to the elements has left the dolls dirty and worn, with peeling paint on their faces, tattered clothing, missing eyes, and no hair, creating a chilling and eerie atmosphere.
—Natalia Cano, Billboard, 4 Sep. 2025
The league was in its infancy, but drew dozens of kids from my block, all of us carrying tattered binders and folders full of the first generation of Pokémon cards.
—Jamal Michel, NPR, 31 Aug. 2025
The old turf was so tattered and torn that concrete was visible beneath some rips.
—Don Norcross, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tattered
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.
John Lopez, HollywoodReporter, 6 Sep. 2025
Over time, exposure to the elements has left the dolls dirty and worn, with peeling paint on their faces, tattered clothing, missing eyes, and no hair, creating a chilling and eerie atmosphere.
—Natalia Cano, Billboard, 4 Sep. 2025
The league was in its infancy, but drew dozens of kids from my block, all of us carrying tattered binders and folders full of the first generation of Pokémon cards.
—Jamal Michel, NPR, 31 Aug. 2025
The old turf was so tattered and torn that concrete was visible beneath some rips.
—Don Norcross, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tattered
Cite this Entry
“Tattered.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tattered. Accessed 13 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share