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
We’re told regularly that tariffs are essential to stop other countries from ripping off Americans.
—
Matt Fleming, Oc Register, 26 Oct. 2025
The Celtics showed some life to open the third quarter, ripping off an 8-0 run fueled by two Hauser 3-pointers.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 25 Oct. 2025
The problem with ripping off the label is now the jug is very sticky.
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Oct. 2025
Skattebo is a human headbutt who will scream Ric Flair’s signature woo after pancaking a linebacker or after ripping off his shirt on Amazon Prime.
—Ian O'Connor, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
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
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
Matt Fleming, Oc Register, 26 Oct. 2025
The Celtics showed some life to open the third quarter, ripping off an 8-0 run fueled by two Hauser 3-pointers.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 25 Oct. 2025
The problem with ripping off the label is now the jug is very sticky.
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Oct. 2025
Skattebo is a human headbutt who will scream Ric Flair’s signature woo after pancaking a linebacker or after ripping off his shirt on Amazon Prime.
—Ian O'Connor, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ripping off
Verb
-
But Gallagher couldn’t bear robbing the audience — and Marissa — of the satisfaction of his downfall.—
Hunter Ingram,
Variety,
8 Nov. 2025
-
In a separate case, a Russian soldier who had been accused of robbing a house in the village of Blystavitsy in the Bucha district of the Kyiv region in March 2022 was found not guilty.—
Sophie Tanno,
CNN Money,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Jennifer Lawrence's Oscar-winning acting is known for stealing scenes, but during a recent outing in New York City, her straight-leg jeans took the spotlight.—
Rylee Johnston,
PEOPLE,
7 Nov. 2025
-
There’s a lot of concern among professionals across the creative and media industries that generative AI tools are essentially stealing their work by scraping content available on the Internet.—
Diana Lodderhose,
Deadline,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
But like his predecessor, this Frankenstein is just as obsessed with immortality and cheating death through science.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Gen Z is 'monkey barring' — not cheating.—
Charles Trepany,
USA Today,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Wilson was arrested in February for allegedly swiping a subway rider through a turnstile and received cash in exchange.—
Adam Sabes,
FOXNews.com,
2 Nov. 2025
-
How one person feels about spending cash versus swiping their card is really about exposure, Bryan-Podvin says.—
Kamaron McNair,
CNBC,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The Bagail 6-piece Compression Packing Cube Set is just $19 and a game-changer for squeezing extra outfits into a carry-on.—
Rosie Marder,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Nov. 2025
-
To check for ripeness, start by squeezing the fruit—ripe mangos should give slightly under pressure without feeling overly soft or mushy.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Attendees could try their hand at knocking over tin cans, throwing lassos and a ring toss.—
Zoey Lyttle,
PEOPLE,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Nicely played by Keanu Reeves, the character is the embodiment of every slacker screwup who’s going to just stumble through life, knocking over everything and everyone in his path.—
Tim Grierson,
Vulture,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Recipes from Valencia took me back to an afternoon lounging in the lawns near The City of Arts and Sciences, staring at orange trees, plucking pieces of rabbit from paella with my fingers, and swirling toast into olive oil.—
Jamila Robinson,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
31 Oct. 2025
-
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,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Rather than rob the story of its teeth, this enabled me to explore the pain, loneliness and personal demons of my characters with sympathy rather than stinging bite.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Seawater keeps the jellyfish’s stinging capsules inert.—
Taryn White,
Travel + Leisure,
29 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ripping off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ripping%20off. Accessed 15 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share