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 rushing
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
So, instead of ripping into Matthews for what happened overseas, the fans gave their veteran captain a round of applause before play resumed.
—
Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 2 Mar. 2026
Last year, the majority in Washington, DC voted to slash Medicaid and SNAP by $1 trillion, ripping health care and food away from millions of our neighbors, family, and friends.
—Dejanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 26 Feb. 2026
An overnight stakeout on a deserted winter beach, a mystery creature ripping line for close to an hour, an angler refusing to quit, and then the moment a drone rises over the water and delivers the answer.
—Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 25 Feb. 2026
Countries that were ripping us off for decades are now paying us hundreds of billions of dollars.
—Time Staff, Time, 25 Feb. 2026
The bear had raked a paw down the back of the tent, ripping it wide open.
—Doris Decleene, Outdoor Life, 25 Feb. 2026
Once upon a time, she and Heughan’s steamy, kilt-ripping scenes were the talk of the town—and sparked incessant, baseless speculation about the nature of their off-screen relationship.
—Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 23 Feb. 2026
That will keep your nails looking neat and clean without ripping away the protective barrier.
—Andee Tagle, NPR, 21 Feb. 2026
Owen was lead coder for a software company called The Shop, who were accused of fraud and ripping stockholders off half a billion dollars.
—Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 20 Feb. 2026
Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 2 Mar. 2026
Last year, the majority in Washington, DC voted to slash Medicaid and SNAP by $1 trillion, ripping health care and food away from millions of our neighbors, family, and friends.
—Dejanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 26 Feb. 2026
An overnight stakeout on a deserted winter beach, a mystery creature ripping line for close to an hour, an angler refusing to quit, and then the moment a drone rises over the water and delivers the answer.
—Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 25 Feb. 2026
Countries that were ripping us off for decades are now paying us hundreds of billions of dollars.
—Time Staff, Time, 25 Feb. 2026
The bear had raked a paw down the back of the tent, ripping it wide open.
—Doris Decleene, Outdoor Life, 25 Feb. 2026
Once upon a time, she and Heughan’s steamy, kilt-ripping scenes were the talk of the town—and sparked incessant, baseless speculation about the nature of their off-screen relationship.
—Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 23 Feb. 2026
That will keep your nails looking neat and clean without ripping away the protective barrier.
—Andee Tagle, NPR, 21 Feb. 2026
Owen was lead coder for a software company called The Shop, who were accused of fraud and ripping stockholders off half a billion dollars.
—Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 20 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ripping
Verb
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Use sharp, clean pruners to cut off stems rather than twisting or tearing them off.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
26 Feb. 2026
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After tearing his bicep and enduring numerous fits of vomiting, Jim was physically done — and soon done from the game as well.—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Begin by slicing Yukon golds with a mandoline to achieve thin, perfectly even slices, and then simmer the potatoes in milk before bathing them in the rich, simple combination of heavy cream, butter, and Gruyère cheese.—
Jennifer Anderson,
Martha Stewart,
17 Feb. 2026
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Its flatter blade profile also gives it a longer slicing range.—
Wilder Davies,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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His six year old cousin opened the door and broke out in pure glee, rushing back to call for his mother.—
Yousra Elbagir,
Time,
25 Feb. 2026
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There is a high whistling sound of wind rushing through the room, and the glass vibrates slightly.—
Sean Williams,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Chelsea Marie Struss was seen on video pushing, hitting, dropping, and yanking infants in her care.—
Vanessa Carlson Bender,
Sioux Falls Argus Leader,
12 Feb. 2026
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Hotel video footage showed the pair forcing entry into the hotel by yanking on a lobby door and breaking the lock.—
Nick Ferraro,
Twin Cities,
5 Feb. 2026
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 police command spokesman for Nangarhar province, Said Tayyeb Hammad, said that anti-aircraft missiles were used from the provincial capital, Jalalabad, and surrounding areas on Pakistani fighter jets flying overhead Sunday morning.—
ABDUL QAHAR AFGHAN,
Arkansas Online,
2 Mar. 2026
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British Airways, for instance, says customers flying between London Heathrow and Abu Dhabi, Amman, Bahrain, Doha, Dubai or Tel Aviv up to March 15 can change their flight date free of charge to travel on or before March 29, while those travelling up to March 8 may also request a full refund.—
Karla Cripps,
CNN Money,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Indiana lawmakers are expected to vote on some spotlight-grabbing bills today, including one that would pave the way for the Chicago Bears to move to Hammond, Indiana.—
Kaitlin Lange,
IndyStar,
27 Feb. 2026
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The Smart House Inc dryer vent cleaner is an effective tool for grabbing lint that clogs hoses.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Makar went to the penalty box for slashing, and the Wild capitalized on the man-advantage when Eriksson Ek popped in the rebound of a Boldy shot.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
27 Feb. 2026
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The Council was able to avoid layoffs, balancing its billion dollar budgets by slashing vacant positions and hiking fees for parking and other programs, in those years.—
Ishani Desai,
Sacbee.com,
26 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ripping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ripping. Accessed 4 Mar. 2026.
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