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 figuratively

a 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

Doctors spent six hours putting back together what took the grizzly a moment to rip apart. — Jan Thacker, Outdoor Life, 3 Sep. 2026

That has stifled storm chances and ripped apart storms like Dolly. — Chris Dolce, CNN Money, 31 Aug. 2026

Tottenham was beaten 2-0 at home by Newcastle, a week on from being ripped apart in a 3-0 loss at Brentford. — ABC News, 29 Aug. 2026

Some of Syria’s neighbors have also lauded the decision as a landmark step to normalizing the geopolitical situation in a country ripped apart again and again by civil conflict. — Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 27 Aug. 2026

Rhymes for rip apart

• counterpart
• art
• cart
• carte
• chart
• dart
• fart
• haart
• mart
• part
• smart
• start