riptide

noun

rip·​tide ˈrip-ˌtīd How to pronounce riptide (audio)

Examples of riptide in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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After helping save a pal who was pulled away by a riptide, Alejandro was swept away by the strong current. Gabrielle Rockson, People.com, 25 Apr. 2025 But, riptides are narrow bands of current, and usually surrounded on both sides by water pushing back towards land. Outside Online, 29 Jan. 2025 Dragged down into the riptide of the vast number of other dead men—dead bodies that meanwhile continued to drop to the pavement. Hazlitt, 26 Nov. 2024 Forecasters said the storm could cause dangerous surf and riptides across the whole Gulf region in the coming days, after causing havoc in Cuba where millions are still without power. Patrick Smith, NBC News, 8 Nov. 2024 See All Example Sentences for riptide

Word History

First Known Use

1862, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of riptide was in 1862

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Cite this Entry

“Riptide.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/riptide. Accessed 21 May. 2025.

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