1
as in to rob
to remove valuables from (a place) unlawfully
the teens ripped off the store where they had been working for the summer
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to steal
to take (something) without right and with an intent to keep
the thief ripped off some jewelry as soon as no one was looking
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to cheat
to rob by the use of trickery or threats
an investigation revealed that a whole slew of suppliers had been ripping off the defense department
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rip-off
Randall Colburn, EW.com, 11 Apr. 2025
Noah Wyle opened up about the lawsuit alleging the Max medical drama The Pitt, one of the top new shows of 2025, is a rip-off of Michael Crichton’s beloved Nineties TV hit ER.
—Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 10 Apr. 2025
Jennifer Lind, Foreign Affairs, 24 June 2025
Bailey's older brother, Brandon, who was 6, later told him how their mom, Frances, draped her arm around them as the aircraft’s tail section ripped off — ejecting their bank of seats as the plane slid to a stop, upside-down.
—Susan Young, People.com, 25 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for rip-off
Noun
But The Pitt and its characters earn your attention, which is something a mere rip-off couldn’t do.
—Randall Colburn, EW.com, 11 Apr. 2025
Noah Wyle opened up about the lawsuit alleging the Max medical drama The Pitt, one of the top new shows of 2025, is a rip-off of Michael Crichton’s beloved Nineties TV hit ER.
—Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 10 Apr. 2025
Verb
Now, the second Trump administration is ripping off the Band-Aid.
—Jennifer Lind, Foreign Affairs, 24 June 2025
Bailey's older brother, Brandon, who was 6, later told him how their mom, Frances, draped her arm around them as the aircraft’s tail section ripped off — ejecting their bank of seats as the plane slid to a stop, upside-down.
—Susan Young, People.com, 25 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for rip-off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rip-off
Noun
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The defendants deported were charged with crimes that included driving under the influence, car theft, drug distribution, assault, domestic violence, attempted murder and human trafficking.—
Shelly Bradbury,
Denver Post,
13 July 2025
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Labor groups see home building as the Wild West of construction, rife with fly-by-night contractors, wage theft and physical hazards.—
CalMatters,
Mercury News,
13 July 2025
Verb
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Menzies was convicted of the 1986 murder of 26-year-old Maurine Hunsaker, a married mother of three who was kidnapped, robbed, strangled, and found tied to a tree with her throat slit.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
11 July 2025
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Three years later, Armando Galarraga didn’t, robbed by a wrong call by first-base umpire Jim Joyce — who owned up to it almost immediately — in the days before instant replay.—
Ryan Ford,
Freep.com,
11 July 2025
Verb
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This attack works through thousands of dangerous websites, stealing credit card or PayPal details as soon as they’re entered.—
Zak Doffman,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2025
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In a near-future Kolkata, ravaged by climate change, one family is about to escape, until their visas are stolen.—
Literary Hub
July 1,
Literary Hub,
1 July 2025
Verb
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Unlike the previous Final Destination Bloodlines films, however, death not only comes for the specific individuals who cheated death, but for generations of relatives in the survivors’ bloodlines.—
Tim Lammers,
Forbes.com,
4 July 2025
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Call to police started over cheating feud According to the criminal complaints: The woman began fighting the day before the shooting because of Jones' infidelity.—
Chris Ramirez,
jsonline.com,
3 July 2025
Verb
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Now, though, Tinder cofounder Justin Mateen swiped right on the property, purchasing it alongside his brother Tyler and Culver Capital for $82.2 million.—
Nicole Hoey,
Robb Report,
9 July 2025
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These tiny Android-style slabs can be swiped up for battery info and swiped left or right to navigate the screens.—
Mark Sparrow,
Forbes.com,
8 July 2025
Verb
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Kalvin Phillips squeezes a pass through the gap and into Omari Hutchinson, taking three Forest players out of the game.—
Thom Harris,
New York Times,
11 July 2025
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Marlene alleged her son grabbed and started to squeeze her throat.—
Christine Pelisek,
People.com,
11 July 2025
Verb
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Historically, Sioux warriors would lure an eagle with rabbit or other food, pluck a few feathers and release it, said Thunder Hawk, who grew up in South Dakota.—
Giovanna Dell'orto,
Twin Cities,
13 July 2025
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Gunn takes the vast canon of Superman lore — from various iterations of the comics to TV shows like Smallville to the Donner films — and treats it like a grab bag, plucking elements from many sources.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
8 July 2025
Verb
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Grobstein, then working for WLS-AM, hustled back to the press box.—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
11 July 2025
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The veteran major-leaguer — who has spent the majority of his career as a catcher — showed athleticism in the first inning, hustling to get an out at first base after starting pitcher Kris Bubic took a comebacker off his shin.—
Maddie Hartley
July 10,
Kansas City Star,
10 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rip-off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rip-off. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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