rip 1 of 3

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

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rip

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noun (1)

rip

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noun (2)

Synonym Chooser

How is the word rip different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of rip are cleave, rend, rive, split, and tear. While all these words mean "to separate forcibly," rip implies a pulling apart in one rapid uninterrupted motion often along a line or joint.

ripped the shirt on a nail

When might cleave be a better fit than rip?

The synonyms cleave and rip are sometimes interchangeable, but cleave implies very forceful splitting or cutting with a blow.

a bolt of lightning cleaved the giant oak

When can rend be used instead of rip?

While the synonyms rend and rip are close in meaning, rend implies very violent or ruthless severing or sundering.

an angry mob rent the prisoner's clothes

When could rive be used to replace rip?

Although the words rive and rip have much in common, rive occurs most often in figurative use.

a political party riven by conflict

In what contexts can split take the place of rip?

While in some cases nearly identical to rip, split implies a cutting or breaking apart in a continuous, straight, and usually lengthwise direction or in the direction of grain or layers.

split logs for firewood

Where would tear be a reasonable alternative to rip?

In some situations, the words tear and rip are roughly equivalent. However, tear implies pulling apart by force and leaving jagged edges.

tear up the letter

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
Verb
Now, Donald Trump has ripped the rug out from under them, a betrayal that will be a death sentence for any Afghan national sent back. Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 July 2025 Hunter Biden rips George Clooney, Democrats who doubted dad In the lengthy interview that aired July 21 on YouTube, Hunter Biden ripped Clooney, a prominent Hollywood donor for Democrats who wrote a New York Times op-ed last year urging Biden to withdraw over concerns with his age and fitness. Joey Garrison, USA Today, 22 July 2025
Noun
Puzzles & Games Today’s Crossword Puzzle: Common site for a rip—four letters. The New Yorker, New Yorker, 30 June 2025 That phrase is a holdover from the blog era, when an artist would send a song to a radio DJ, and fans would listen to a low-quality rip on the radio airing while indefinitely waiting for the pristine version to drop on a blog. Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 17 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for rip
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rip
Verb
  • There their family says goodbye with hugs, and often tears, and places their child in her care.
    Nicole Villalpando, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
  • To make a sling for the pan, tear off a piece of parchment paper.
    Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 July 2025
Verb
  • Cruz had stabbed himself in the chest and was trying to slit his own wrists when police arrived at the scene and took him to a local hospital.
    Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 25 July 2025
  • When Ogle was arrested in his wife's brutal killing hours after being treated for slitting his left wrist, many former students were struck by the violent reality.
    Jade Jackson, IndyStar, 2 July 2025
Verb
  • On May 9, she was flown to Texas through the Alexandria airport; the next day, she was driven to Mexico in a caravan of buses with other deportees.
    Brent McDonald, New York Times, 31 July 2025
  • Holder Hugh Robertson handled the snap cleanly, and Olano’s kick flew between the goal posts.
    Sam Brief, Chicago Tribune, 31 July 2025
Verb
  • Otherwise, the state would yank funding and redirect the city’s 911 response to a third-party center.
    Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 25 July 2025
  • And remember when cohost Jenny McCarthy would yell at male players, yank their ears, and just be all-around crude on said series?
    Lindsay Soll, EW.com, 25 July 2025
Verb
  • Pack firmly to ensure the crust doesn’t crumble when sliced (using the bottom of a measuring cup helps pack the crust into the pan).
    Robin Miller, AZCentral.com, 29 July 2025
  • Stormy weather could stretch over a large portion of the central and eastern US on Wednesday as humid air pours north out of the Gulf and the cold front starts to slice south.
    Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 29 July 2025
Verb
  • Archer’s first delivery, timed at 87.4mph, hurried the left-handed Jaiswal.
    Paul Newman, New York Times, 11 July 2025
  • The scene from election night On June 24, the night of the most recent meeting, members hurried into the Picnic House to hear the results of the votes.
    Vanessa Romo, NPR, 7 July 2025
Verb
  • Leave your troubles behind and grab a lime, because Thursday is National Tequila Day.
    Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 25 July 2025
  • Concerned, the roommates grabbed golf clubs from one of the first-floor bedrooms and checked the house for a possible intruder.
    Christopher Cann, USA Today, 24 July 2025
Verb
  • Opposition parties have since stymied Lai's agenda, refusing to approve constitutional court justices, slashing spending, and cutting defense budgets.
    Jan Camenzind Broomby, NPR, 26 July 2025
  • During his first term, Trump repeatedly lambasted the Fed chair for failing to slash rates quickly and aggressively enough, but his offensive has been far more strident in his current tenure.
    Paul Davidson, USA Today, 25 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Rip.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rip. Accessed 3 Aug. 2025.

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