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
Relevance
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of ripping off
Albertini definitely leaned into the fireworks, ripping off a series of high notes as YOSHIHANAA matched her power with equally hard-hitting tones that had Snoop jumping in his red chair.
—
Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 14 Oct. 2025
Meanwhile, the Lions keep ripping off wins.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 12 Oct. 2025
Barkley played against the Giants only once last season, ripping off 176 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries in an easy 28-3 win.
—Dan Duggan, New York Times, 9 Oct. 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
Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 14 Oct. 2025
Meanwhile, the Lions keep ripping off wins.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 12 Oct. 2025
Barkley played against the Giants only once last season, ripping off 176 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries in an easy 28-3 win.
—Dan Duggan, New York Times, 9 Oct. 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ripping off
Verb
-
But what the Mets really specialized in was stealing, robbing banks, selling drugs, planting evidence, doing Mob hits and selling civil-service exams, among other rackets.—
Howie Carr,
Boston Herald,
15 Oct. 2025
-
That said, his highlight reel plays in 2025 included robbing at least four home runs.—
Jeff Sanders,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The Venezuelan leader, who is accused of stealing last year’s election, was further sidelined diplomatically after the country’s main opposition figure María Corina Machado won the Nobel Peace Prize last week.—
Ben Smith,
semafor.com,
17 Oct. 2025
-
Santos was charged in 2023 with stealing from donors and his campaign, fraudulently collecting unemployment benefits and lying to Congress about his wealth.—
Philip Marcelo,
Fortune,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Regarding the subject of cheating and whether students might use AI to write essays, edX told Fortune that GradyAI has cheating detection built into its algorithms that can be turned on or off depending on the application.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
15 Oct. 2025
-
But his $20 million contract gave the Guardians two more years of club options at $10 million each, which seemed to be a bargain until the cheating scandal emerged.—
Peter Chawaga,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
In a world where people have grown increasingly accustomed to finding love by swiping right or left, this little Irish town and its festival offers something different.—
Bernadette Keith,
Travel + Leisure,
19 Oct. 2025
-
Thanks to the new ‘Hi-Five’ rule, which penalizes defenders for swiping at hands following through, and re-emphasizes contact to shooters’ legs, Curry shot nine free throws in the first half, all makes, and ended up with 13 attempts from the foul line overall.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
15 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Like, the sharp pains, the ache, that squeezing.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
Entertainment Weekly,
17 Oct. 2025
-
Baker says each piece is so soft, almost like squeezing mini chunks of cotton candy.—
Nashia Baker,
Architectural Digest,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
They can be seen knocking over display cases, smashing glass and stuffing goods for sale into large black garbage bags.—
Pilar Arias,
FOXNews.com,
5 Oct. 2025
-
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
Verb
-
Helicopters have been plucking people off rooftops for rescue from flooding and structural damage.—
Andrew Freedman,
CNN Money,
14 Oct. 2025
-
With the Giants plucking concepts from Ole Miss’ offense, Dart’s comfort level was obvious.—
Dan Duggan,
New York Times,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The production was plagued by hurricanes, tsunami warnings, stinging jellyfish and several injuries — including Costner, who almost died while riding out a storm stranded atop a mast after his safety line had snapped.—
Peter Kiefer,
HollywoodReporter,
8 Oct. 2025
-
Andreas Helmersen hit the bar while Patrick Berg’s stinging effort was saved by Guglielmo Vicario.—
Jay Harris,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ripping off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ripping%20off. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share