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Definition of ripnext
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as in to tear
to cause (something) to separate into jagged pieces by violently pulling at it the dog ripped the sleeve of my shirt by grabbing it with his teeth

Synonyms & Similar Words

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rip

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noun (1)

rip

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noun (2)

Synonym Chooser

How is the word rip different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of rip are cleave, rend, rive, split, and tear. While all these words mean "to separate forcibly," rip implies a pulling apart in one rapid uninterrupted motion often along a line or joint.

ripped the shirt on a nail

When might cleave be a better fit than rip?

The synonyms cleave and rip are sometimes interchangeable, but cleave implies very forceful splitting or cutting with a blow.

a bolt of lightning cleaved the giant oak

When can rend be used instead of rip?

While the synonyms rend and rip are close in meaning, rend implies very violent or ruthless severing or sundering.

an angry mob rent the prisoner's clothes

When could rive be used to replace rip?

Although the words rive and rip have much in common, rive occurs most often in figurative use.

a political party riven by conflict

In what contexts can split take the place of rip?

While in some cases nearly identical to rip, split implies a cutting or breaking apart in a continuous, straight, and usually lengthwise direction or in the direction of grain or layers.

split logs for firewood

Where would tear be a reasonable alternative to rip?

In some situations, the words tear and rip are roughly equivalent. However, tear implies pulling apart by force and leaving jagged edges.

tear up the letter

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 rip
Verb
Watching Jace's ordeal was like having your heart ripped, replaced, and then ripped out again. Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 22 June 2026 Louis rips his spine out, dislocates his jaw, and reads Claudia’s diary entries about how she was repeatedly assaulted by him. Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 22 June 2026
Noun
If a ball reaches such a rip, it’s no longer guided by the fabric, and the analogy breaks down; scientists need a new theory to understand this and other, similarly extreme situations. Quanta Magazine, 3 June 2026 The jerseys are made of polyester so the fabric can be cut like papel picado without becoming vulnerable to tears or rips. ABC News, 30 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for rip
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rip
Verb
  • As the aircraft approached Atlantic City, a portion of one of the main rotor blades separated, the NTSB report showed, tearing the transmission and rotor apart and sending the helicopter crashing onto the Garden State Parkway.
    Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 24 June 2026
  • Mara will have to avoid OKC’s first-round curse, as each of the Thunder’s last two lottery picks have torn an ACL before their rookie seasons.
    Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 24 June 2026
Verb
  • Before police took him into custody, Tran slit his wrists, cut his neck and poked the blade into his stomach, but all of the wounds were superficial.
    Sean Emery, Oc Register, 1 June 2026
  • If it’s baked in a loaf pan, go ahead and slit the top of the batter before baking.
    Jesse Szewczyk, Bon Appetit Magazine, 15 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Those who rely on custom mobility devices still have to fly commercial or find another way to get to the games, and risk damage to their wheelchairs in the process.
    Zach Wichter, USA Today, 25 June 2026
  • Last year, Jackie and Shadow’s eaglets (Sunny and Gizmo) were about a month older during the fireworks show and had already grown enough feathers to fly away from the nest.
    Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 24 June 2026
Verb
  • Within days of its release, Anthropic’s most sophisticated public AI model was abruptly yanked from customers.
    Hadas Gold, CNN Money, 21 June 2026
  • With two outs and a runner on, Sasaki yanked a splitter to the inside edge of the strike zone to Gunnar Henderson, who lifted it over the wall in right field.
    Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2026
Noun
  • Nora Ephron for depressed perverts.
    Antonia Blyth, Deadline, 16 Feb. 2026
  • You are being spied on by a pervert.
    Jay Ruttenberg, New Yorker, 11 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Pizza Tascio — a Kansas City-area restaurant chain with seven existing locations — is about to slice its newest spot.
    Jenna Thompson June 22, Kansas City Star, 22 June 2026
  • After being used only as a second-half substitute against Cape Verde, he was thrown in from the start on Sunday and wasted no time in making his presence felt, repeatedly slicing through the Saudi defense before turning home Mikel Oyarzabal's cross.
    CBS News, CBS News, 21 June 2026
Verb
  • But hurry—some of our favorites are already selling out!
    Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 24 June 2026
  • But hurry, sizes are selling out quickly on Madewell.
    Reece Andavolgyi, InStyle, 20 June 2026
Verb
  • There is an art to cutting a cantaloupe, which starts long before grabbing the knife and cutting board.
    Alexandra Frost, USA Today, 22 June 2026
  • Schmidt can be forgiven for making this headline-grabbing prediction.
    Rob Toews, Forbes.com, 22 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Rip.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rip. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.

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