1
as in robbing
to remove valuables from (a place) unlawfully
the teens ripped off the store where they had been working for the summer
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in stealing
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 cheating
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 ripping off
Even when Osborne dips into country or wraps with a hint of reggae, its songs rip – if only in the sense of ripping off a Band-Aid.
—
Joe Lynch, Billboard, 19 Sep. 2025
On Tuesday, a Miami federal judge ordered Graham’s immediate surrender to the Bureau of Prisons after sentencing him to seven years for ripping off millions from his mother.
—Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 17 Sep. 2025
Is Emmy award winning show The Pitt ripping off ER?
—James Folta, Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2025
The pre-waxed strips latch onto hairs with the strength of a baby’s fist, yanking them out right at the roots with about as much discomfort as ripping off a (very sticky) Band-Aid.
—Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
To say nothing of ripping off the title of one of the better songs in the Pearl Jam discography.
—Rob Lancit, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
The Red Sox ambushed the New York Yankees in Sunday night’s series finale, ripping off six runs in the first inning en route to a 6-4 win.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 15 Sep. 2025
Mark Ruffalo stars as veteran FBI agent Tom Brandis, who’s assigned to lead a task force to catch a gang of low-level crooks who’ve been putting on Halloween masks and ripping off local drug dealers, in a scheme reminiscent of Apple TV+’s recent Dope Thief.
—Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 28 Aug. 2025
Because Paterno had corrected course after four losing seasons in five years, ripping off 51 victories from 2005 to ‘09, there wasn’t much urgency to invest and improve.
—Ralph D. Russo, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2025
Joe Lynch, Billboard, 19 Sep. 2025
On Tuesday, a Miami federal judge ordered Graham’s immediate surrender to the Bureau of Prisons after sentencing him to seven years for ripping off millions from his mother.
—Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 17 Sep. 2025
Is Emmy award winning show The Pitt ripping off ER?
—James Folta, Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2025
The pre-waxed strips latch onto hairs with the strength of a baby’s fist, yanking them out right at the roots with about as much discomfort as ripping off a (very sticky) Band-Aid.
—Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
To say nothing of ripping off the title of one of the better songs in the Pearl Jam discography.
—Rob Lancit, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
The Red Sox ambushed the New York Yankees in Sunday night’s series finale, ripping off six runs in the first inning en route to a 6-4 win.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 15 Sep. 2025
Mark Ruffalo stars as veteran FBI agent Tom Brandis, who’s assigned to lead a task force to catch a gang of low-level crooks who’ve been putting on Halloween masks and ripping off local drug dealers, in a scheme reminiscent of Apple TV+’s recent Dope Thief.
—Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 28 Aug. 2025
Because Paterno had corrected course after four losing seasons in five years, ripping off 51 victories from 2005 to ‘09, there wasn’t much urgency to invest and improve.
—Ralph D. Russo, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ripping off
Verb
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Refusing to engage with it means robbing yourself of the experience, like walking into a museum eyes closed rather than appreciating any of the paintings.—
Alyssa Mercante,
Rolling Stone,
25 Sep. 2025
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One of the shooting deaths included in ADL’s data involved the suspect robbing a fast-food restaurant and then stealing a getaway vehicle.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
22 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In 2007, two poachers were caught stealing 17 saguaros from Saguaro National Park and surrounding county land.—
John Leos,
AZCentral.com,
26 Sep. 2025
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That network was spearheaded by Ilan Shor, an oligarch living in exile after he was convicted in absentia for his role in stealing $1 billion from Moldovan banks in 2014.—
Christian Edwards,
CNN Money,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Emotionally cheating may hurt more than physically cheating.—
Melina Khan,
USA Today,
25 Sep. 2025
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The next global square date will take place on January 1, 2036, or 01/01/2036, which feels a bit like cheating since both versions yield 1012036 (1006 x 1006).—
Margherita Bassi,
Popular Science,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The charging bear slams against the car as the door closes, swiping at the space where the man's head was moments before.—
Kelli Bender,
PEOPLE,
26 Sep. 2025
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After dropping them off in a narrow street, Rojas started swiping through the app for a new passenger.—
Ladan Anoushfar,
CNN Money,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
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While many traditional inner-thigh exercises focus solely on squeezing motions, more effective adductor training also incorporates movements in multiple planes and challenges the muscles to work as stabilizers rather than just prime movers.—
Dana Santas,
CNN Money,
26 Sep. 2025
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The squeeze One way Californians cope with pricey housing is by squeezing more than the typical number of people into their living spaces.—
Jonathan Lansner,
Oc Register,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
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When two people pop a small confetti cannon into the air, Speed launches himself back with a cry, knocking over the set and barely missing the cake that has his face on it.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
5 Sep. 2025
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Many cat owners have seen their cat sleeping in a sunny patch on the bed, or even knocking over plants and whatever else is in the way to get an ideal window-napping position.—
Meghan Holmes,
Treehugger,
7 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The first challenge is to create a visually appealing monkey bread, which many in America will recognize as a circular loaf composed of smaller balls that can be easily torn off, much like monkeys plucking nits from one another.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
19 Sep. 2025
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When not plucking away at a keyboard, Madison teaches yoga and mountain bikes with her two Australian shepherds, Cholla and Poppy, through Missoula's Rattlesnake Wilderness.—
Madison Dapcevich,
Outside,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
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These pretty pink jellyfish are carnivorous and have stinging tentacles that can reach up to 70 feet long.—
Meghan Overdeep,
Southern Living,
25 Sep. 2025
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On the other hand, Howard Stern had stinging comments today over Kimmel going dark, and joined the groundswell of subscribers cancelling Disney+.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
22 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ripping off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ripping%20off. Accessed 1 Oct. 2025.
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