rip apart
verb
ripped apart; ripping apart; rips apart
1
: to completely destroy (something) by tearing it into pieces
The child ripped the toy apart.
Strong winds had ripped apart many of the little beach bungalows.
—often used figurativelya tragedy/scandal that almost ripped the family apart
2
: to criticize (someone or something) in a very harsh or angry way especially by describing weaknesses, flaws, etc.
Critics ripped the author's latest novel apart.
an article that rips apart the mayor's plan
Examples of rip apart in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In recent years, the courts have been ripping apart the NCAA rule book, prohibiting the organization from imposing limitations on transferring, and allowing players to return to college play after having gone pro.
—
Jemele Hill, The Atlantic, 19 June 2026
School buses were ripped apart and burned in Times Square during what was supposed to be a joyous occasion.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 17 June 2026
During courtroom breaks, the long line for the women’s room was a stark visual of the way this flood has ripped apart accusers and defenders of Camp Mystic—grieving mothers in lavender avoiding eye contact with willfully cheerful women in a green that now felt cloying, bordering on cruel.
—Karen Valby, Vanity Fair, 16 June 2026
Penn is more concerned with creating the ambience of a local community ripped apart by devastating crimes than constructing a straightforward thriller.
—Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 9 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for rip apart
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.
Jemele Hill, The Atlantic, 19 June 2026
School buses were ripped apart and burned in Times Square during what was supposed to be a joyous occasion.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 17 June 2026
During courtroom breaks, the long line for the women’s room was a stark visual of the way this flood has ripped apart accusers and defenders of Camp Mystic—grieving mothers in lavender avoiding eye contact with willfully cheerful women in a green that now felt cloying, bordering on cruel.
—Karen Valby, Vanity Fair, 16 June 2026
Penn is more concerned with creating the ambience of a local community ripped apart by devastating crimes than constructing a straightforward thriller.
—Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 9 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for rip apart
Cite this Entry
“Rip apart.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rip%20apart. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
