as in ripping
to cause (something) to separate into jagged pieces by violently pulling at it
shredded some cooked chicken for the soup
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shredding
But the show’s interest in shredding these awful creatures has started to feel too narrow in purpose.
—
Scott Tobias, Vulture, 26 Apr. 2026
Today, that content is a 17-year-old miniature horse named Black Pearl absolutely shredding an electric keyboard in a children’s hospital.
—Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 16 Apr. 2026
Satriani and Vai have sustained their respective careers as forward-looking, envelope-shredding solo artists, composers and band leaders since the 1980s.
—George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
Sugar became a familiar sight in the surf over the last 16 years, a small white pup who was often shredding at the Huntington Beach Pier among the locals.
—Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 30 Mar. 2026
Even factory resets may leave traces of data, so some recyclers will go as far as shredding a device's hard drive — and verify it's been destroyed.
—ABC News, 24 Mar. 2026
Tonight, the spider will continue its lattice; tonight, the crystals will sprout spines, shredding my soft tissues.
—Jan Steyn, The Dial, 10 Mar. 2026
Prepare this dish by shredding the chicken and chopping the carrots and leeks up to two days in advance.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 1 Mar. 2026
In the right hands, even the humblest city EV can become an unhinged, albeit highly entertaining, tire-shredding science experiment.
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 22 Feb. 2026
Scott Tobias, Vulture, 26 Apr. 2026
Today, that content is a 17-year-old miniature horse named Black Pearl absolutely shredding an electric keyboard in a children’s hospital.
—Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 16 Apr. 2026
Satriani and Vai have sustained their respective careers as forward-looking, envelope-shredding solo artists, composers and band leaders since the 1980s.
—George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
Sugar became a familiar sight in the surf over the last 16 years, a small white pup who was often shredding at the Huntington Beach Pier among the locals.
—Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 30 Mar. 2026
Even factory resets may leave traces of data, so some recyclers will go as far as shredding a device's hard drive — and verify it's been destroyed.
—ABC News, 24 Mar. 2026
Tonight, the spider will continue its lattice; tonight, the crystals will sprout spines, shredding my soft tissues.
—Jan Steyn, The Dial, 10 Mar. 2026
Prepare this dish by shredding the chicken and chopping the carrots and leeks up to two days in advance.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 1 Mar. 2026
In the right hands, even the humblest city EV can become an unhinged, albeit highly entertaining, tire-shredding science experiment.
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 22 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shredding
Verb
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With two outs and Andruw Monasterio at second following a double, the slumping Caleb Durbin came up with one of his biggest hits of the season, ripping an RBI double to put the Red Sox ahead.—
Mac Cerullo,
Hartford Courant,
25 Apr. 2026
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Images of the fire showed flames ripping through the building as firefighters carried out an exterior attack to extinguish the blaze.—
Louis Casiano,
FOXNews.com,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
During a late-night safety test, the power plant’s Number 4 reactor exploded, tearing through the building and sending a column of radioactive material into the sky.—
Benjamin Mack-Jackson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
30 Apr. 2026
-
The one that was about ambition and friendship and celebrating women, not tearing them down.—
Natalia Senanayake,
PEOPLE,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shredding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shredding. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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