1
as in to tear
to cause (something) to separate into jagged pieces by violently pulling at it
the dog ripped the sleeve of my shirt by grabbing it with his teeth
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in to slit
to penetrate with a sharp edge (as a knife)
you can see where someone ripped the painting with a penknife
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to fly
to proceed or move quickly
the car went ripping down the road
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to yank
to separate or remove by forceful pulling
rip a sheet off the pad of paper
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in pervert
a person who has sunk below the normal moral standard
something of a rip in his youth, he eventually settled down
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of rip
Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 16 Feb. 2026
Shot with devotion by DP Hélène Louvart, frame after frame looks like it’s been ripped from the pages of a fashion magazine that someone like Anna might occupy herself with, eternally bored by the rich comforts that their prison-like home provides.
—David Opie, IndieWire, 15 Feb. 2026
Brandi Fuller, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Jan. 2026
The crux of the film is figuring out who’s dirty and who’s clean, as the obvious question is whether the cops will try to steal the cash, and who might have set up this enormous rip to get them into that situation.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 17 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rip
Verb
Steamy and visually alluring, the film turns Brontë's story about revenge, obsession and social class into a bodice-ripping love affair.
—Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 16 Feb. 2026
Shot with devotion by DP Hélène Louvart, frame after frame looks like it’s been ripped from the pages of a fashion magazine that someone like Anna might occupy herself with, eternally bored by the rich comforts that their prison-like home provides.
—David Opie, IndieWire, 15 Feb. 2026
Noun
After washing and drying the sheet set several times, there were no signs of loose seams, pilling rips, holes, or color fading.
—Brandi Fuller, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Jan. 2026
The crux of the film is figuring out who’s dirty and who’s clean, as the obvious question is whether the cops will try to steal the cash, and who might have set up this enormous rip to get them into that situation.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 17 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rip
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rip
Verb
-
As the Angevin empire threatens to tear itself apart, Rob and Marian are drawn into the orbit of kings and queens, forced to wield the very instruments of Norman power to secure a future for the Saxons.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
24 Feb. 2026
-
As the Angevin empire threatens to tear itself apart, Rob and Marian are drawn into the orbit of kings and queens, forced to wield the very instruments of Norman power — politics, gold, and betrayal — to secure a future for the Saxons.—
Joe Otterson,
Variety,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Although not a full Renaissance sleeve, Lela Rose slit into those on a few of her cocktail dresses, allowing subtle movement without veering too far into costume territory.—
Ari Stark,
Footwear News,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Bleeding from a chest wound and still alive, Ronald Heath then kicked Sheridan, stabbed him in the neck and then tried to slit his throat, though the knife was too dull, court records say.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Eco effort La Sultana Oualidia’s planet-friendly approach prioritizes a dynamic impact on its local environment without ever feeling showy, and many of their most meaningful initiatives may fly under the radar even for guests.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
18 Feb. 2026
-
City facilities were lit in blue and red overnight, the city's flag will fly at half-staff all day and three wreaths will be on display at City Hall for 24 hours.—
Anthony Bettin,
CBS News,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
But in late January, a cadre of federal workers yanked placards from the site’s brick walls in response to a March 2025 executive order from the White House that shunned complication.—
Adam Harris,
The Atlantic,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Last fall Kimmel was temporarily yanked off the air after ABC was threatened by FCC chairman Brendan Carr; last summer Colbert’s show was canceled, purportedly for financial reasons, right around the same time its parent company was seeking Trump’s approval for a merger.—
Joy Press,
Vanity Fair,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Polish skater Kamila Sellier was taken off the ice on a stretcher after a blade from a competitor's skate sliced her face above the left eye in a sudden crash.—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Top each serving with black olives, diced avocado, and sliced green onions.—
Sarah Martens,
Better Homes & Gardens,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Yet the Department of Homeland Security closed precheck lanes on Sunday to hurry along spending talks.—
Editorial Board,
Washington Post,
24 Feb. 2026
-
The men disappeared inside and hurried up to the fifth floor.—
Steven Levingston,
Vanity Fair,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Neely tried to grab Belt-Stubblefield by the neck and take him to the ground, but the officer is the one who fell, according to the notice of claim.—
Noelle Phillips,
Denver Post,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Melvin Trotter walked in and began rifling through the cash register, grabbing about $100 and some food stamps.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The assailants, some armed, also vandalized security cameras and a guard shack and slashed the tires of vehicles in the parking lot, authorities said.—
Kevin Krause,
Dallas Morning News,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Also slashed was $4 million that had been awarded to California under the Resilient and Efficient Codes Implementation (RECI) program, which supports new energy efficient building codes.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rip.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rip. Accessed 25 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
