What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
ripped
Example
He worked hard at the gym to get ripped muscles. [ripped: adjective]
Example
The shirt was ripped at the seams after he caught it on a nail. [ripped: past participle]
shredded
Example
She followed a strict diet and exercise regimen to get shredded abs. [shredded: adjective]
Example
I shredded the old documents to protect sensitive information. [shredded: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Ripped is more commonly used than shredded in everyday language, especially when describing a person's physique. Shredded is less common and is more often used to describe food or paper.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between ripped and shredded?
Both ripped and shredded are informal words that are more commonly used in casual conversation rather than formal writing or speech.
