1
as in tearing
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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2
as in slicing
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 travelling
to proceed or move quickly
the car went ripping down the road
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in yanking
to separate or remove by forceful pulling
rip a sheet off the pad of paper
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ripping
Judge is paid to survey a terrifying 6-1 Toronto lead in the third inning and to alter the vibe of an elimination game by ripping a run-scoring double.
—
Ian O'Connor, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025
Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon was among those furious at the 26-year-old running back, and shortly after the game, a video emerged on social media of Gannon ripping into his tailback for the mistake.
—Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Oct. 2025
But don't go ripping out every touch of brass in your kitchen just yet.
—Tessa Cooper, Southern Living, 1 Oct. 2025
Dancing With the Stars contestant Robert Irwin left judge Carrie Ann Inaba speechless after ripping of his shirt in the middle off his salsa with partner Witney Carson.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Oct. 2025
The story of the bitter conflict ripping Loving County apart is inseparable from its history, one of hardship, survival, and ties to an unforgiving place that are born deep inside a person’s bones like marrow.
—Mitch Moxley, Rolling Stone, 27 Sep. 2025
With 90 minutes to go, Veejay is still hand-cutting and sewing Mimi’s chainmail gown, and Ethan is dealing with the corset seams ripping out of the back of his huge circle gown.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 26 Sep. 2025
The three days the children were ripping Gladys apart.
—Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 25 Sep. 2025
Division is the real enemy ripping at our social fabric, and Proposition 50 only accelerates it.
—Janet Nguyen, Oc Register, 23 Sep. 2025
Ian O'Connor, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025
Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon was among those furious at the 26-year-old running back, and shortly after the game, a video emerged on social media of Gannon ripping into his tailback for the mistake.
—Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Oct. 2025
But don't go ripping out every touch of brass in your kitchen just yet.
—Tessa Cooper, Southern Living, 1 Oct. 2025
Dancing With the Stars contestant Robert Irwin left judge Carrie Ann Inaba speechless after ripping of his shirt in the middle off his salsa with partner Witney Carson.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Oct. 2025
The story of the bitter conflict ripping Loving County apart is inseparable from its history, one of hardship, survival, and ties to an unforgiving place that are born deep inside a person’s bones like marrow.
—Mitch Moxley, Rolling Stone, 27 Sep. 2025
With 90 minutes to go, Veejay is still hand-cutting and sewing Mimi’s chainmail gown, and Ethan is dealing with the corset seams ripping out of the back of his huge circle gown.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 26 Sep. 2025
The three days the children were ripping Gladys apart.
—Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 25 Sep. 2025
Division is the real enemy ripping at our social fabric, and Proposition 50 only accelerates it.
—Janet Nguyen, Oc Register, 23 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ripping
Verb
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Driven by Jonny Greenwood’s relentless score, the movie summons not only the images but the psycho-spiritual sensations of a country tearing itself apart.—
Graham Hillard,
The Washington Examiner,
3 Oct. 2025
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Another loved that her 4 year old asked to build it again and again, gleefully tearing it apart just to redo it.—
Emily Glover,
Parents,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Let stand for at least 15 minutes before slicing.—
Sarah Martens,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 Oct. 2025
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Austin Wells followed by slicing a single to right as Chisholm sped around the bases, sliding headfirst just ahead of Nate Eaton’s throw as New York took the lead.—
Jen McCaffrey,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In the footage, a uniformed officer is seen forcibly grabbing the female passenger’s arm and yanking her towards the aisle.—
Colson Thayer,
PEOPLE,
27 Sep. 2025
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Stern is one of several high-profile entertainments hosts who have condemned ABC and Disney for yanking Kimmel off the air.—
Zack Sharf,
Variety,
22 Sep. 2025
Verb
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When Rochelle Luna, 18, arrived at the house hours later, Djerf bound, gagged and raped her before stabbing her and slitting her throat, court records said.—
Elena Santa Cruz,
AZCentral.com,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The two have combined for 594 rushing yards and nine rushing touchdowns through the Hurricanes’ first four games.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
3 Oct. 2025
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Hubbard broke out in a major way last season, rushing for 1,195 yards in 2024 with 11 total touchdowns on the year.—
Reice Shipley,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Securing the Shield ensures the top seed for Philly and home-field advantage throughout the MLS Cup playoffs for a team that has quietly gone about a consistent season without grabbing much in the way of attention.—
The Athletic Staff,
New York Times,
5 Oct. 2025
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Without strangers lunging at her and grabbing her forearm.—
Romina Ruiz-Goiriena,
USA Today,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Oxy barely survived the downturn, slashing its dividend from 79 cents per share each quarter down to just one penny.—
Jordan Blum,
Fortune,
2 Oct. 2025
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Even if the game was already lost, there might not have been a penalty more maddening than Nick Cousins slashing Canadiens forward Ivan Demidov just as his team began an odd-man rush.—
Julian McKenzie,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In offseason videos, though, he’s been flying through the air and flushing down ferocious dunks, so the athleticism looks to be back.—
Stan Son,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
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In one common attack, known as GPS spoofing, hackers transmit false location data that tricks a drone into flying off course.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
7 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ripping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ripping. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
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