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
Because our state refused to cooperate with the military-style deportations that are ripping families apart across California.
—
Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 4 May 2026
But Bellinger snapped out of it Friday, ripping two doubles in the Yankees’ win over the Orioles.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 2 May 2026
Mavrik Bourque was chasing Quinn Hughes into the corner, matching him stride for stride and ripping the puck away from him.
—Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 1 May 2026
The brazen escape unfolded early the morning of May 16, 2025, when the inmates breached a wall in a jail cell after ripping away a toilet-sink unit.
—Greg Hilburn, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2026
Those entrusted with public office must lead responsibly and choose language that brings us together instead of ripping us apart.
—The Editorial Board, Daily News, 30 Apr. 2026
Pull the tick out gently, without jerking or ripping.
—Charlotte Observer, 30 Apr. 2026
Having used them underneath her bed for six years, shopping market editor Kate McGregor has had no issues with ripping or zippers breaking.
—Lauren Arzbaecher, Architectural Digest, 28 Apr. 2026
With two outs and Andruw Monasterio at second following a double, the slumping Caleb Durbin came up with one of his biggest hits of the season, ripping an RBI double to put the Red Sox ahead.
—Mac Cerullo, Hartford Courant, 25 Apr. 2026
Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 4 May 2026
But Bellinger snapped out of it Friday, ripping two doubles in the Yankees’ win over the Orioles.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 2 May 2026
Mavrik Bourque was chasing Quinn Hughes into the corner, matching him stride for stride and ripping the puck away from him.
—Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 1 May 2026
The brazen escape unfolded early the morning of May 16, 2025, when the inmates breached a wall in a jail cell after ripping away a toilet-sink unit.
—Greg Hilburn, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2026
Those entrusted with public office must lead responsibly and choose language that brings us together instead of ripping us apart.
—The Editorial Board, Daily News, 30 Apr. 2026
Pull the tick out gently, without jerking or ripping.
—Charlotte Observer, 30 Apr. 2026
Having used them underneath her bed for six years, shopping market editor Kate McGregor has had no issues with ripping or zippers breaking.
—Lauren Arzbaecher, Architectural Digest, 28 Apr. 2026
With two outs and Andruw Monasterio at second following a double, the slumping Caleb Durbin came up with one of his biggest hits of the season, ripping an RBI double to put the Red Sox ahead.
—Mac Cerullo, Hartford Courant, 25 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ripping
Verb
-
During a late-night safety test, the power plant’s Number 4 reactor exploded, tearing through the building and sending a column of radioactive material into the sky.—
Benjamin Mack-Jackson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
30 Apr. 2026
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The one that was about ambition and friendship and celebrating women, not tearing them down.—
Natalia Senanayake,
PEOPLE,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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This gyuto is hand-forged and features the Nashiji (pear skin) pattern, hammered into the steel to prevent food from sticking when slicing.—
Jesse Raub,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
1 May 2026
-
The plane hitting the water is destructive enough without the help of a jagged coral reef (improbably far from any coastline) slicing through the aircraft’s undercarriage.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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But the public debuts of SpaceX and other companies could add pressure to the Magnificent Seven, given that investors rushing to make space for the IPOs will have to offload existing holdings.—
Sarah Min,
CNBC,
6 May 2026
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In footage obtained by NBC DFW and Fox 4, Zapata could be seen rushing the resident to safety following the gunfire before being hit by shrapnel in his eye and calling authorities for assistance.—
Gabrielle Rockson,
PEOPLE,
6 May 2026
Verb
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Surveillance video obtained by affiliate FOX 4 Dallas showed Ramirez yanking the father out of the driver's side of his car and forcefully trying to get inside.—
Alexandra Koch , Brooke Taylor,
FOXNews.com,
6 May 2026
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After Correa doubled leading off the first against Tanner Bibee, Alvarez followed by yanking a curveball from the right-hander 422 feet over the wall in right field to give the Astros a 2-0 lead that held up for nine innings.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The prosecutor said Tran tried to take his own life by slitting a wrist, cutting his neck and poking a blade into his stomach.—
Sean Emery,
Oc Register,
5 Mar. 2026
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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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When that lightsaber goes flying across the Wampa cave?—
Mike Ryan,
IndieWire,
4 May 2026
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JetBlue, for example, is offering $99 one-way fares for Spirit customers flying on the same route through Wednesday, May 6.—
Jessica Puckett,
Condé Nast Traveler,
4 May 2026
Verb
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There’s also significant doubt among Republicans as to whether DeSantis will even accomplish the goal of grabbing at least four more seats.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
1 May 2026
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The shortage started grabbing headlines early last month.—
Jibin Joseph,
PC Magazine,
1 May 2026
Verb
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Politicians from both parties are slashing rates and spinning loopholes.—
Annie Lowrey,
The Atlantic,
28 Apr. 2026
-
The new budget proposes slashing OCR funding by 35%.—
Sequoia Carrillo,
NPR,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ripping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ripping. Accessed 7 May. 2026.
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