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
That’s why the album has gone down in history, the ultimate case of a superstar ripping it up to start again, in the mode of Kid A or Achtung Baby, Bowie in Berlin or Neil Young heading for the ditch.
—
Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 2 Nov. 2025
As a result of the accelerating AWS story and continued solid margin performance, Amazon shares are ripping about 13% higher in after-hours trading to about $252.
—Jeff Marks, CNBC, 30 Oct. 2025
Check out video of Flav watching practice, posing with members of Team USA and ripping down the track in a bobsled and skeleton.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 28 Oct. 2025
Adidas did the same thing with an AE1 commercial ripping a bunch of shoes, including LaMelo Ball’s shoe with Puma.
—Zach Harper, New York Times, 28 Oct. 2025
For now, the issue is settled by the courts, and Wisconsinites seem content with the tradition of ripping back the perforated paper tabs.
—Hope Karnopp, jsonline.com, 28 Oct. 2025
Everybody’s ripping on one another, taking the piss out, winding each other up.
—Tracee Ellis Ross, Glamour, 27 Oct. 2025
Congressional Democrats have been eagerly drawing that contrast in recent days, ripping Trump for going abroad amid a crisis at home.
—Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 26 Oct. 2025
Two years ago, Stone pulled ahead in a neck-and-neck race with Lily Gladstone (Killers of the Flower Moon), ultimately winning her second Oscar (after winning for Damien Chazelle’s La La Land in 2016) for her role in Lanthimos’s Poor Things and ripping her dress in the process.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 24 Oct. 2025
Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 2 Nov. 2025
As a result of the accelerating AWS story and continued solid margin performance, Amazon shares are ripping about 13% higher in after-hours trading to about $252.
—Jeff Marks, CNBC, 30 Oct. 2025
Check out video of Flav watching practice, posing with members of Team USA and ripping down the track in a bobsled and skeleton.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 28 Oct. 2025
Adidas did the same thing with an AE1 commercial ripping a bunch of shoes, including LaMelo Ball’s shoe with Puma.
—Zach Harper, New York Times, 28 Oct. 2025
For now, the issue is settled by the courts, and Wisconsinites seem content with the tradition of ripping back the perforated paper tabs.
—Hope Karnopp, jsonline.com, 28 Oct. 2025
Everybody’s ripping on one another, taking the piss out, winding each other up.
—Tracee Ellis Ross, Glamour, 27 Oct. 2025
Congressional Democrats have been eagerly drawing that contrast in recent days, ripping Trump for going abroad amid a crisis at home.
—Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 26 Oct. 2025
Two years ago, Stone pulled ahead in a neck-and-neck race with Lily Gladstone (Killers of the Flower Moon), ultimately winning her second Oscar (after winning for Damien Chazelle’s La La Land in 2016) for her role in Lanthimos’s Poor Things and ripping her dress in the process.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 24 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ripping
Verb
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In addition, writing with them required great concentration to avoid splattering ink or tearing the paper with the sharp metal nib.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
29 Oct. 2025
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After tearing through the Bahamas, Melissa will accelerate into the Atlantic Ocean, potentially impacting Bermuda by Thursday and Friday.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Remove turkey from oven; let rest 30 minutes before slicing and serving.—
Melinda Salchert,
Southern Living,
31 Oct. 2025
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The Hornets made a nice run in the third quarter, slicing Orlando’s lead to three at 88-85.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Diego Pavia’s Heisman Trophy campaign certainly wasn’t bolstered by a stat line of 149 total yards, one rushing touchdown and one interception.—
Quentin Corpuel,
Kansas City Star,
31 Oct. 2025
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Thomas starred for the Vikings with 205 yards rushing on 16 carries and 3 TD runs of his own.—
Darren Lauber,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In both cases, as the danger was spreading through the waters of the Florida reefs, scientists were busily yanking surviving corals out of the water and saving them in aquariums across the state.—
Alex Harris,
Miami Herald,
24 Oct. 2025
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Mel Brooks’ best comedy shares many similarities with his other revered films – a strong grip of genre beats, a non-stop barrage of gags yanking us forward, and an eagerness to give every performer a chance to comedically shine.—
Rory Doherty,
Vulture,
20 Oct. 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 conservative backlash isn’t surprising, but we were still left genuinely puzzled by the unshakable belief that a lesbian nun is as far-fetched a notion as a flying elephant.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
4 Nov. 2025
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The wood-free Hyper Core composite walls are finished in automotive grade aluminum outer panels framed out via 11-gauge aluminum corner rails, protecting the trailer from low branches and flying debris.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
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These are especially useful for taking public transport, grabbing a quick coffee, or leaving a small tip at a restaurant.—
Asia London Palomba,
Travel + Leisure,
25 Oct. 2025
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Peterson led the way, scoring 26 points — 24 before halftime — and grabbing four rebounds.—
Shreyas Laddha,
Kansas City Star,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Matthias Balk | Picture Alliance | Getty Images Paramount Skydance is slashing nearly 1,000 jobs beginning on Wednesday, just months after the close of its merger, according to a person close to the situation.—
Lillian Rizzo,
CNBC,
29 Oct. 2025
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Amazon, led by CEO Andy Jassy, is slashing its workforce by about 14,000 roles, the company told employees Tuesday morning.—
Alex Weprin,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ripping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ripping. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
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