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
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Recent Examples of ripping off
The Celtics made a push midway through the fourth, ripping off a 9-0 run and holding the Hawks scoreless for more than four straight minutes.
—
Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 31 Mar. 2026
The Huskies were more settled in the second half, ripping off a 12-0 run to open the third quarter.
—Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 27 Mar. 2026
After her friend left, Sprunk allegedly tried ripping off the woman's clothes.
—Nick Lentz, CBS News, 10 Mar. 2026
Tougher still was standing in the fairway on the par-5 18th, the cold Pacific air ripping off the ocean to his left, and having to wait some 20 minutes as Jacob Bridgeman had to figure out how to play off the beach only for his shot to go into the ocean.
—ABC News, 15 Feb. 2026
Federal officials unveiled a slew of charges Tuesday against two Coloradans accused of ripping off a program that provides free rides to Medicaid patients, the first criminal charges filed in response to a sprawling fraud bonanza identified by state officials more than two years ago.
—Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 11 Feb. 2026
After retaining his parallel giant slalom crown in Livigno on Sunday, the 40-year-old celebrated by ripping off his top, baring his chest to the frenzied crowd, before flexing his muscles and dropping facedown on the snow.
—Ben Church, CNN Money, 9 Feb. 2026
Companies making machine learning and generative software aren’t just metaphorically ripping off books.
—James Folta, Literary Hub, 6 Feb. 2026
TrumpRx does make a compelling case that the president has mounted an extraordinary effort to stop pharmaceutical companies from ripping off Americans.
—Nicholas Florko, The Atlantic, 6 Feb. 2026
Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 31 Mar. 2026
The Huskies were more settled in the second half, ripping off a 12-0 run to open the third quarter.
—Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 27 Mar. 2026
After her friend left, Sprunk allegedly tried ripping off the woman's clothes.
—Nick Lentz, CBS News, 10 Mar. 2026
Tougher still was standing in the fairway on the par-5 18th, the cold Pacific air ripping off the ocean to his left, and having to wait some 20 minutes as Jacob Bridgeman had to figure out how to play off the beach only for his shot to go into the ocean.
—ABC News, 15 Feb. 2026
Federal officials unveiled a slew of charges Tuesday against two Coloradans accused of ripping off a program that provides free rides to Medicaid patients, the first criminal charges filed in response to a sprawling fraud bonanza identified by state officials more than two years ago.
—Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 11 Feb. 2026
After retaining his parallel giant slalom crown in Livigno on Sunday, the 40-year-old celebrated by ripping off his top, baring his chest to the frenzied crowd, before flexing his muscles and dropping facedown on the snow.
—Ben Church, CNN Money, 9 Feb. 2026
Companies making machine learning and generative software aren’t just metaphorically ripping off books.
—James Folta, Literary Hub, 6 Feb. 2026
TrumpRx does make a compelling case that the president has mounted an extraordinary effort to stop pharmaceutical companies from ripping off Americans.
—Nicholas Florko, The Atlantic, 6 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ripping off
Verb
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Police have accused a man of robbing a convenience store in Fairfield earlier this month.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
26 Mar. 2026
-
And not only the best players but the oldest ones, robbing mid-majors of their great advantage — veteran rosters perfecting intricate offenses for years — back when power conferences trafficked in one-and-done stars amid more restrictive transfer regulations.—
Mark Zeigler,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
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In the movie, which was progressive for its time, the trans character attempts suicide after being subjected to emotional and physical abuse by the manipulative Sonny, who tries to make amends by going rogue and stealing money for their surgery.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
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While South Florida locals debate whether Fort Lauderdale is truly stealing Miami’s thunder, Smorgasburg’s move from the 305 to the 954 is indicative of Fort Lauderdale’s growing food scene and appeal to young people.—
Amanda Rosa
March 31,
Miami Herald,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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An angler competing in a walleye derby on Saskatchewan’s Montreal Lake was kicked out of the ice-fishing tournament Saturday after being accused of cheating.—
Dac Collins,
Outdoor Life,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Last year, a dozen people were charged with using and selling a smog-check cheating device.—
Patt Morrison,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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To do so, the PepsiCo unit wants to grab the attention of younger consumers on social and digital media, where interactive technology gives rise to scrolling, swiping and other short-attention span behaviors.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Last summer, after a year of attempting to get back on Hinge, followed by a year of swiping on other apps outside Match Group, Enfield deleted her dating apps altogether.—
Annie Joy Williams,
The Atlantic,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Serve with garlic toasts and lemon wedges for squeezing over if desired.—
Rebecca Firkser,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
25 Mar. 2026
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Photos and video show the explorers squeezing through jagged crevices deep inside the karsts, using flashlights to guide them further along an otherwise pitch-black maze of rocky burrows.—
Emily Mae Czachor,
CBS News,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The robot was captured on video at the Haidilao location approaching a table before pounding on it, then knocking over utensils and food in front of customers.—
Isabel Yip,
NBC news,
19 Mar. 2026
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Bess finally blurted out, gesticulating and knocking over her glass of wine just as Sam opened a new bottle.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
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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,
28 Mar. 2026
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And don’t forget the era of over-plucking—ahem, from the currently trending ‘90s—which resulted in super-thin eyebrows that never really fully grew back.—
Ana Morales,
Vogue,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Alcohol can be stinging and drying to the skin.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Mar. 2026
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Meta had the worst week in the group, dropping more than 11% after two stinging court defeats added to the social media company's challenges.—
Ari Levy,
CNBC,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ripping off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ripping%20off. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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