as in splashes
a very small amount
the vandals showed not a shred of decency
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in rips
to cause (something) to separate into jagged pieces by violently pulling at it
shredded some cooked chicken for the soup
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 shreds
Denise Petski, Deadline, 26 Apr. 2026
The proteinmaxxers leapt on the buffet, heaping spoonfuls of hummus and shreds of rotisserie chicken onto paper plates.
—Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 9 Apr. 2026
Microplastics are tiny and sometimes invisible shreds of plastic that can be produced by the breakdown of plastic, the shedding of clothing fibers, manufacturing processes, and more.
—Lauren J. Young, Scientific American, 2 Apr. 2026
Rather than melting, the tangy, creamy pimento cheese spread, with cheese shreds still intact, created a bright counterpoint to the charred Angus beef smash burger.
—Chiara Kim, PEOPLE, 31 Mar. 2026
The shreds will quickly soften in a few minutes at room temperature.
—Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 10 Mar. 2026
Serve the sandwiches with frozen French fries jazzed up with bits of parsley, coarse salt, black pepper, and parmesan shreds.
—Tribune Content Agency, Baltimore Sun, 4 Mar. 2026
Depending on the variety of marmalade, the rind can be cut into thick pieces or into tiny shreds.
—Amy Sherman, Martha Stewart, 8 Jan. 2026
Shooting stars appear when shreds of space debris ranging in size from a grain of sand to a small asteroid collide with Earth while travelling at tens of thousands of miles per hour, only to burn up in a fiery naked-eye display as they're overwhelmed by the friction of atmospheric entry.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 4 Dec. 2025
Tory Johnson, ABC News, 28 Apr. 2026
Trump admin official shreds NY Times over multiple corrections to report on Silicon Valley initiative.
—FOXNews.com, 31 Mar. 2026
Pour the soup mixture over the vegetables and continue to cook until the chicken easily shreds with a fork.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 5 Mar. 2026
This is the kind of corruption that shreds the fabric of a nation.
—Tim Dunn, Boston Herald, 26 Feb. 2026
This is the kind of corruption that shreds the fabric of a nation.
—Time Staff, Time, 25 Feb. 2026
In competition, Kim shreds with a glowing confidence.
—Aaron Tolentino, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2026
Williams cheerfully shreds the culture’s postlapsarian fantasies of childhood.
—Literary Hub, 10 Feb. 2026
The signal revealed to a team of scientists that LFBOTs are the result of extreme Tidal Disruption Events (TDEs), in which a black hole with a mass up to 100 times that of the sun, completely shreds a companion star in just a matter of days.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 19 Dec. 2025
Noun
My hopes and dreams are just to go into it and tear it to shreds.
—Denise Petski, Deadline, 26 Apr. 2026
The proteinmaxxers leapt on the buffet, heaping spoonfuls of hummus and shreds of rotisserie chicken onto paper plates.
—Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 9 Apr. 2026
Microplastics are tiny and sometimes invisible shreds of plastic that can be produced by the breakdown of plastic, the shedding of clothing fibers, manufacturing processes, and more.
—Lauren J. Young, Scientific American, 2 Apr. 2026
Rather than melting, the tangy, creamy pimento cheese spread, with cheese shreds still intact, created a bright counterpoint to the charred Angus beef smash burger.
—Chiara Kim, PEOPLE, 31 Mar. 2026
The shreds will quickly soften in a few minutes at room temperature.
—Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 10 Mar. 2026
Serve the sandwiches with frozen French fries jazzed up with bits of parsley, coarse salt, black pepper, and parmesan shreds.
—Tribune Content Agency, Baltimore Sun, 4 Mar. 2026
Depending on the variety of marmalade, the rind can be cut into thick pieces or into tiny shreds.
—Amy Sherman, Martha Stewart, 8 Jan. 2026
Shooting stars appear when shreds of space debris ranging in size from a grain of sand to a small asteroid collide with Earth while travelling at tens of thousands of miles per hour, only to burn up in a fiery naked-eye display as they're overwhelmed by the friction of atmospheric entry.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 4 Dec. 2025
Verb
The Food Processor quickly chops, slices, and shreds a wide array of ingredients for unlimited culinary creations, while the Coffee & Spice Grinder efficiently grinds coffee beans, spices, and herbs for superior flavor and potency.
—Tory Johnson, ABC News, 28 Apr. 2026
Trump admin official shreds NY Times over multiple corrections to report on Silicon Valley initiative.
—FOXNews.com, 31 Mar. 2026
Pour the soup mixture over the vegetables and continue to cook until the chicken easily shreds with a fork.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 5 Mar. 2026
This is the kind of corruption that shreds the fabric of a nation.
—Tim Dunn, Boston Herald, 26 Feb. 2026
This is the kind of corruption that shreds the fabric of a nation.
—Time Staff, Time, 25 Feb. 2026
In competition, Kim shreds with a glowing confidence.
—Aaron Tolentino, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2026
Williams cheerfully shreds the culture’s postlapsarian fantasies of childhood.
—Literary Hub, 10 Feb. 2026
The signal revealed to a team of scientists that LFBOTs are the result of extreme Tidal Disruption Events (TDEs), in which a black hole with a mass up to 100 times that of the sun, completely shreds a companion star in just a matter of days.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 19 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shreds
Noun
-
Morning is generally better than evening, because any splashes have time to dry before nightfall.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Miami Herald,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Some splashes of color help enliven it too.—
Adam Williams
April 23,
New Atlas,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Anderson’s feat is overshadowed by Shaquille O’Neal, who rips down the backboard in the first quarter, delaying the game 45 minutes.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Continue reading … TICKING CLOCK — CNN host Michael Smerconish rips Democrats for hiding behind War Powers deadline.—
,
FOXNews.com,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Featuring bolder, thicker spots at the top and more refined, micro specks down the skirt, this mini dress makes all-day, fashionable wear easier than ever.—
Julia Morlino,
Travel + Leisure,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Silvery or mottled patches on leaves, brown or distorted petal edges, dark specks (feces) or flower buds that fail to open are signs of thrips.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Drink, drugs and sometimes tears.—
Jessica Guynn,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Inheritance often tears families apart and much of that conflict is rooted in poor communication.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Mercury News,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
There are no easy answers in education, but there are glimmers of hope.—
Abby McCloskey,
Twin Cities,
12 Apr. 2026
-
While the storm is looming, there are new glimmers of possibility—friends can become lovers, strangers can become friends on the subway, the supermarket aisles are charged with meaning.—
Andrew Marantz,
New Yorker,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Because the Lakers are two losses from blowing it to bits.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
-
The new show features Cuban actor Ariel Texido, who bears a resemblance to a younger Alvarez Guedes, and is in Spanish with few Spanglish bits that longtime fans will remember.—
Pedro Portal,
Miami Herald,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
After all, most of us just want a peaceful day sans responsibilities, handmade cards from our littles, and quality time together.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
29 Apr. 2026
-
And for all the effort to read between the lines, to connect the dots between moves and motivations, the truth is the Valkyries have given little away about what comes next.—
Nathan Canilao,
Mercury News,
14 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
My grandmother’s version typically called just for the addition of generous sprinklings of Lawry’s garlic salt and black pepper—and that’s it.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
5 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shreds.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shreds. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
