Torn vs. Tattered

past participle of tear(rip, rend, speed).

p. p. of Tear.

having edges that are jagged from injury

disrupted by the pull of contrary forces;

Example: ‘torn between love and hate’; ‘torn by conflicting loyalties’; ‘torn by religious dissensions’;

Rent in tatters, torn, hanging in rags; ragged.

Dressed in tatters or rags; ragged.

(obsolete) Dilapidated; showing gaps or breaks; jagged; broken.

simple past tense and past participle of tatter

worn to shreds; or wearing torn or ragged clothing;

Example: ‘a man in a tattered shirt’; ‘the tattered flag’; ‘tied up in tattered brown paper’; ‘a tattered barefoot boy’; ‘a tatterdemalion prince’;

ruined or disrupted;

Example: ‘our shattered dreams of peace and prosperity’; ‘a tattered remnant of its former strength’; ‘my torn and tattered past’;