ragged 1 of 2

1
as in jagged
having an uneven edge or outline the Rocky Mountains cut an angular, ragged profile against the sky, in contrast to the rounded silhouette of the rolling, green Adirondack Mountains

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2
3
4
as in raggedy
wearing torn or worn-out clothes ragged and hungry refugees emerging from the jungle where they had been in hiding for weeks

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ragged

2 of 2

verb

past tense of rag

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 ragged
Adjective
The ragged metallic roaring scream of a Boeing 727 ascending eastward, a high-pitched whine building to a thundering roar, fading to a drone. Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 8 Jan. 2025 The car screamed a ragged series of explosive pops. Rachel Kushner, Harper's Magazine, 2 Dec. 2024 Again, this somewhat ragged rendition isn’t equal to the multi-layered studio version or live ones heard on bootlegs; in particular, the Stills and Young interplay from a Dallas 1968 show makes the Springfield sound like the true originators of the jam band concept. David Browne, Rolling Stone, 2 Dec. 2024 Carl Wanderer was sentenced to hang for killing the unnamed ragged stranger. Marianne Mather, Chicago Tribune, 24 Oct. 2024 See All Example Sentences for ragged
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ragged
Adjective
  • The image teases both the film’s narrative developments and its jagged formal approach, as the director (who shares editing duties with both co-writer Karen Plata and DP Odei Zabaleta) aims to structurally replicate the non-linear disorder and occasional blind spots of ruptured childhood memories.
    Guy Lodge, Variety, 26 Feb. 2025
  • Located on the historic Santa Barbara plantation, the jagged limestone peak is accessible at four different points with routes up to 164 feet high (50 meters), depending on your athletic ability.
    Curaçao Tourist Board, AFAR Media, 26 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • 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
Adjective
  • Connecticut transit riders urged lawmakers to bolster funding and services for the state’s local commuter railroads on Wednesday, as ridership continues to experience an uneven rebound from the pandemic.
    John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 28 Feb. 2025
  • Two different curling irons — a 1-inch and a 1.5-inch — gave the pro uneven waves for a more natural feel.
    Jackie Fields, People.com, 27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Gray and faded whiskers may be changed to their natural color and even brown or black by using Buckingham dye – try it.
    Contributed Content, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
  • Groom indoor foliage to remove old leaves, faded flowers and declining portions.
    Tom MacCubbin, Orlando Sentinel, 1 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • From the rugged Cliffs of Moher to the lively streets of Dublin, the country offers a perfect blend of natural beauty and cultural charm.
    Joanne Shurvell, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025
  • The Bridge on the River Kwai has a thorny message about loyalty and duty that’s wrapped in a rugged, articulate adventure film.
    Will Leitch, Vulture, 3 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The Trump administration has expressed interest in other minerals like lithium, graphite, and titanium, but these are based on rough mineral estimates.
    Energy Innovation: Policy and Technology, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025
  • Known for his rough and tumble roles, the two-time Oscar winner died Feb. 26, 2025.
    Janine Henni, People.com, 27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Hurt In Minors, In Hall Of Fame A broken arm at age 19 while diving for a flyball in the minors turned a promising pitcher into a full-time outfielder who hit his way into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
    Chuck Murr, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025
  • The most poignant of those messages came from safety Josh Metellus, who posted a broken heart emoji that indicated the Vikings were moving on from his best friend.
    Dane Mizutani, Twin Cities, 10 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Some of Mangione's supporters have left messages of praise for him, while others have criticized the fundraising efforts.
    Hannah Parry, Newsweek, 24 Dec. 2024
  • Bo French, the chairman of the Tarrant County, Texas, GOP, criticized Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Lisa Franchetti, alleging that an emphasis on DEI programs had undermined the military's effectiveness.
    Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 24 Dec. 2024

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Cite this Entry

“Ragged.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ragged. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.

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