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

Intense wind and surging waves from Hurricane Lowell damaged oceanfront resorts, ripped apart roads and knocked out power early this week on Kauai, known for its stunning tropical landscapes, waterfalls and dramatic cliffs. — Gene Johnson, Arkansas Online, 12 Sep. 2026

The deaths of some 3,000 people killed on 9/11 when the World Trade Center collapsed in lower Manhattan ripped apart families. — Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 11 Sep. 2026

Yet, future relations with Canada will be the bellwether for whether America can recover the critical alliances this administration has heedlessly ripped apart. — Trudy Rubin, Mercury News, 8 Sep. 2026

Ameling and her business partner found safety in a nearby storefront and watched as their sales area was ripped apart. — Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 7 Sep. 2026

Rhymes for rip apart

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