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Definition of ripnext
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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
Shares have ripped more than 16% higher in the past month. Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 21 Jan. 2026 In his postgame comments, Draymond Green was especially harsh on Lee, ripping his tactic of having Sion James and others shadow Curry, who posted 14 points on 6-of-12 shooting, as much as possible. Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 21 Jan. 2026
Noun
Check for stains, fading, rips, odors, and mold before bagging up these items. Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 16 Dec. 2025 Wang's collaborative creation with other Santa Fe artists, visitors will stumble upon an unsuspecting Victorian home that becomes a site of wonder when a forceful blip rips through the metaphysics of time and space. Malik Peay, USA Today, 10 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for rip
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rip
Verb
  • Kim tore her labrum in early January but has been cleared to compete in Livigno.
    Michelle Bruton, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026
  • Very heavy ice can potentially tear the gutters off your house.
    Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 27 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • If the experimenter reads the information about which slit the photon passed through, there will never be an interference pattern.
    Paul Sutter, Space.com, 20 Dec. 2025
  • Police say when an officer tried to detain him, Cooksey threatened to slit the officer's throat.
    CBS News, CBS News, 19 Dec. 2025
Verb
  • This result shows the particles do not have a single location while flying through the apparatus.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 22 Jan. 2026
  • Peppa and her friends may not be flying around in super suits, traveling through an enchanted world, or saving the neighborhood from a greedy mayor, but their everyday adventures are just as relevant.
    Kara Nesvig, Parents, 22 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Therefore Primate and its promising central character turns more into a typical slasher flick, repeatedly knocking off the swimsuit-wearing teens one by one, his specialty being yanking out jaws and other bloody grossouts.
    Pete Hammond, Deadline, 8 Jan. 2026
  • Officer Alex Millan then yanked open the passenger door of the suspects’ car; at the same time, the car drove forward over the curb.
    Bay Area News Group, Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Add 1 large white onion, thinly sliced through root end, 6 garlic cloves, coarsely chopped, and a large pinch of kosher salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is translucent, 6–8 minutes.
    Shilpa Uskokovic, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
  • The argument spilled onto Wharton Street, where Hennen was accused of slicing the player's neck.
    Andy Sheehan, CBS News, 26 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Both papers hurried to make the most of this dramatic event, no matter how little reporters actually knew about the identity of the gunman or his motives for shooting four people.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Jan. 2026
  • Fraser hurried back to Kew Gardens with the boy, Jacob, who has autism and epilepsy, and is unable to speak.
    Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 22 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • The bottom-line mandate for the Bruins on Monday night was to grab two points against the worst team in the Eastern Conference.
    Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 27 Jan. 2026
  • On January 13, in a win over the Chicago Bulls, Davison played 24 minutes, scoring 9 points, grabbing 7 rebounds, and dishing out 4 assists.
    Rahat Huq, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • After 18 years, Tejaban had to slash hours after losing staff.
    Susan-Elizabeth Littlefield, CBS News, 21 Jan. 2026
  • Congress slashed the agency's budget nearly in half in July as part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
    Stephan Bisaha, NPR, 21 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Rip.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rip. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.

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