as in to bruise
to cut (someone's flesh) deeply or roughly
The broken glass lacerated his feet. The patient's hand was severely lacerated.
Related Words
Relevance
variants
or lacerated
as in shredded
Related Words
Dissimilar 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 lacerate
Adam Bradley Luis Alberto Rodriguez Carlos Nazario, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2025
The scars of deforestation were hard to miss: riverbeds writhed through dry valleys, while surrounding hillsides were lacerated with gullies cut deep by centuries of erosion.
—Chris Schalkx, Vogue, 30 Sep. 2025
Sean Keeler, The Denver Post, 12 Oct. 2024
Reared in New York's indelicate political culture, Trump does not like to appear meek, using rallies and his Twitter account to lacerate rivals.
—Paul Schwartzman and Josh Dawsey, chicagotribune.com, 9 July 2018
See All Example Sentences for lacerate
Verb
The songs are at times over-the-top, at others lacerating in their introspection about everything from the anxiety of aging to the anguished choice to terminate a pregnancy.
—Adam Bradley Luis Alberto Rodriguez Carlos Nazario, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2025
The scars of deforestation were hard to miss: riverbeds writhed through dry valleys, while surrounding hillsides were lacerated with gullies cut deep by centuries of erosion.
—Chris Schalkx, Vogue, 30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
The Georgia native suffered a lacerated liver in the Buffs’ win over CSU in the 2023 Rocky Mountain Showdown and missed three games, returning for a 46-43 home loss to Stanford.
—Sean Keeler, The Denver Post, 12 Oct. 2024
Reared in New York's indelicate political culture, Trump does not like to appear meek, using rallies and his Twitter account to lacerate rivals.
—Paul Schwartzman and Josh Dawsey, chicagotribune.com, 9 July 2018
See All Example Sentences for lacerate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lacerate
Verb
-
The Magic have also been without All-Defensive guard Jalen Suggs for 10 of the past 12 games first because of a left hip bruise and then a right knee MCL bruise.—
Jason Beede,
The Orlando Sentinel,
9 Jan. 2026
-
That book’s thrilling confidences have been partly supplanted in The Four Spent the Day Together by embittered score-settling (recounting her bruising run-in with cancel culture, e.g.).—
Rosa Lyster,
Harpers Magazine,
30 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
People don’t mind waiting for owner Betty Martinez-Sperry’s ham croquetas, ropa vieja (shredded steak sautéed in tomato criollo sauce), and Cubano sandwiches.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
2 Jan. 2026
-
Best Body Pillow for Most People The Snuggle-Pedic is one of the least expensive options on this list, and its shredded memory foam fill provides both support and a cushy feel, while its temperature-regulating bamboo cover ensures a comfortable sleep experience.—
Molly Higgins,
Wired News,
29 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Ukrainian officials said four people were killed and at least 22 wounded in the capital overnight.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Federal agents wounded two people in a shooting in Portland, Oregon, on Thursday.—
Ross O'Keefe,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Characterized by their faded or worn-out effect, as if their original color had been lightened by washing, these beloved jeans stand out for their vintage and carefree air.—
Mayte Salido,
Glamour,
4 Jan. 2026
-
The styling trick works even with an outfit that leans as grunge as this, with ballooning black cargo pants, a muted flannel, and a faded black tee.—
Alyssa Rotunno,
InStyle,
30 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
For Edelberto’s brother, Amilcar Hernandez, the death has been piercing and painful.—
Kevin G. Hall,
Miami Herald,
7 Nov. 2025
-
In September, Manow posted a photo of her bloodied face and said Clateman knocked out her dermal piercing during a fight.—
Kieran Press-Reynolds,
Pitchfork,
6 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lacerate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lacerate. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share