1
as in to rob
to remove valuables from (a place) unlawfully
the teens ripped off the store where they had been working for the summer
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to steal
to take (something) without right and with an intent to keep
the thief ripped off some jewelry as soon as no one was looking
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to cheat
to rob by the use of trickery or threats
an investigation revealed that a whole slew of suppliers had been ripping off the defense department
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rip-off
Moisés Naím, Literary Hub, 27 Oct. 2025
Enter Valentine's Day, a generic, cookie-cutter rip-off filled to the brim with A-list stars and Oscar winners.
—Janey Tracey, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Oct. 2025
Chris Murphy, Vanity Fair, 20 Jan. 2026
On May 7, 1955, two members of the local White Citizens’ Council shot into the cab of Reverend George Lee’s car; the bullets ripped off the lower half of his face.
—Clint Smith, The Atlantic, 19 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rip-off
Noun
On the surface, Çiftlik Bank—Turkish for Farm Bank—was little more than a FarmVille rip-off; the functionality for tending to digital crops and livestock was lifted more or less straight from their competitor.
—Moisés Naím, Literary Hub, 27 Oct. 2025
Enter Valentine's Day, a generic, cookie-cutter rip-off filled to the brim with A-list stars and Oscar winners.
—Janey Tracey, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
There’s paparazzi footage of the couple screaming at and shoving each other in downtown Manhattan, painfully punctuated by John appearing to rip off Carolyn’s engagement ring.
—Chris Murphy, Vanity Fair, 20 Jan. 2026
On May 7, 1955, two members of the local White Citizens’ Council shot into the cab of Reverend George Lee’s car; the bullets ripped off the lower half of his face.
—Clint Smith, The Atlantic, 19 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rip-off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rip-off
Noun
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Another alleged member of the Latin Kings was charged in federal court in the District of Minnesota this month with being a felon in possession of a firearm and theft of government property after breaking into an FBI vehicle and stealing a rifle.—
Michael Sinkewicz,
FOXNews.com,
30 Jan. 2026
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There’s also the Travelon Anti-theft Classic Mini Shoulder Bag designed to outsmart pickpockets, plus the Taygeer Travel Backpack that can easily replace your carry-on.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The buildup has robbed the Pentagon of the element of surprise, but that may not make a huge difference.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
31 Jan. 2026
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Hanaway alleges that because of census procedure in the 2020 apportionment, Missouri was robbed of a congressional seat and electoral vote.—
Claire Carter,
The Washington Examiner,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Around 2015, upstarts like Chobani or BodyArmor began stealing market share from legacy brands.—
Amelia Lucas,
CNBC,
31 Jan. 2026
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Another alleged member of the Latin Kings was charged in federal court in the District of Minnesota this month with being a felon in possession of a firearm and theft of government property after breaking into an FBI vehicle and stealing a rifle.—
Michael Sinkewicz,
FOXNews.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Celia Arguerro, who also has a handicap parking permit, is tired of waiting for reform to catch people cheating the system.—
Larry Seward,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
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He likely already would have been inducted were in not for his part in the Astros’ ugly cheating scandal in 2017.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Others have tried to swipe popular ad mascots and put them in the service of a rival.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
29 Jan. 2026
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Home security camera footage captured a suspect wearing black clothing and glasses swiping the bear off the front porch of the Lakeshore Drive home.—
Joseph Buczek,
CBS News,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Pull upward, squeezing the lat muscle in your upper back at the top.—
Will Stone,
NPR,
31 Jan. 2026
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Pour salt onto the stain, then squeeze lemon juice over top.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Guests are invited to become part of the journey — kneading bread, baking cookies, gathering fresh eggs, or plucking herbs for cocktails — while learning how regenerative farming nurtures both flavor and sustainability.—
Joanne Shurvell,
Forbes.com,
28 Jan. 2026
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Healthy cells that still have their MGMT gene intact will simply pluck the methyl group back off.—
Isabella Backman,
Hartford Courant,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In many ways a template for modern romantic comedies, the film has Stanwyck playing a sharp con artist looking to hustle Fonda’s naïve, wealthy herpetologist while on an ocean liner.—
Mark Olsen,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Jan. 2026
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That version doesn't chase, doesn't beg, doesn't hustle.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rip-off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rip-off. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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