1
as in tears
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
Relevance
2
as in slits
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 rushes
to proceed or move quickly
the car went ripping down the road
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in grabs
to separate or remove by forceful pulling
rip a sheet off the pad of paper
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in perverts
a person who has sunk below the normal moral standard
something of a rip in his youth, he eventually settled down
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of rips
Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 23 May 2026
Over eight episodes, the first season of Nemesis rips through more fiery events and story than most shows could in a multi-year run.
—Derek Lawrence, HollywoodReporter, 17 May 2026
On May 13, 2011 — 15 years ago to this day — the popular DC show concluded with a fist-pumping final scene where Clark rips open his shirt to display the iconic Superman logo while John Williams' unmistakable score rings like a battle cry.
—Sergio Pereira, Space.com, 13 May 2026
The other rips the seal off Rip City come Saturday night.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 8 May 2026
Continue reading … NATION ON EDGE — Stephen A Smith rips 'lip service' on civility after being at WHCA Dinner shooting.
—FOXNews.com, 29 Apr. 2026
Anderson’s feat is overshadowed by Shaquille O’Neal, who rips down the backboard in the first quarter, delaying the game 45 minutes.
—Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026
Then a man comes in from behind and rips down their banner.
—MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
Spanning 180 acres between four of the city’s most dynamic neighborhoods, Sunnyside Yard is a steel and asphalt scar that rips across Western Queens — serving those passing through, not those that call this borough home.
—Ben Guttmann, New York Daily News, 15 Mar. 2026
Jane Kim, The Spruce, 27 May 2026
The cuts in Colin’s flesh—actually rips—were shallow.
—Stephen King, The Atlantic, 15 May 2026
No photos in the living room — a policy that tightened after guests snapped pictures of Taylor Swift with Matty Healy — and a dress code that allows jeans, but the expensive kind with no rips.
—George Gurley, HollywoodReporter, 13 May 2026
Good luck with your Bowman rips.
—Corey Merriman, New York Times, 13 May 2026
There’s nothing worse than spending too much on a stylish bag only to find that the lining rips or the hardware breaks after just a few wears.
—Jacqueline Tempera, PEOPLE, 19 Apr. 2026
Two easy ways to ensure the grass is mowed properly is, according to Cannon, to know the turf type and how much to mow and use a sharp mower blade to avoid tears or rips, which are basically open wounds on the plant.
—Lauren David, Southern Living, 12 Apr. 2026
The luxury department store chain employs 1,500 people to provide tailoring and alternations, from hemming jeans and repairing rips to fitting suits and reworking evening gowns.
—Anne D’innocenzio, Los Angeles Times, 6 Apr. 2026
Dave Grohl plays drums, and absolutely rips.
—Emma Madden, Pitchfork, 13 Mar. 2026
Verb
Pollinator-friendly plants are clustered across the large property, a hedge against the next storm that rips away the canopy.
—Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 23 May 2026
Over eight episodes, the first season of Nemesis rips through more fiery events and story than most shows could in a multi-year run.
—Derek Lawrence, HollywoodReporter, 17 May 2026
On May 13, 2011 — 15 years ago to this day — the popular DC show concluded with a fist-pumping final scene where Clark rips open his shirt to display the iconic Superman logo while John Williams' unmistakable score rings like a battle cry.
—Sergio Pereira, Space.com, 13 May 2026
The other rips the seal off Rip City come Saturday night.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 8 May 2026
Continue reading … NATION ON EDGE — Stephen A Smith rips 'lip service' on civility after being at WHCA Dinner shooting.
—FOXNews.com, 29 Apr. 2026
Anderson’s feat is overshadowed by Shaquille O’Neal, who rips down the backboard in the first quarter, delaying the game 45 minutes.
—Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026
Then a man comes in from behind and rips down their banner.
—MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
Spanning 180 acres between four of the city’s most dynamic neighborhoods, Sunnyside Yard is a steel and asphalt scar that rips across Western Queens — serving those passing through, not those that call this borough home.
—Ben Guttmann, New York Daily News, 15 Mar. 2026
Noun
Some signs to never ignore are yellow or brown stains, rips, or a musty smell.
—Jane Kim, The Spruce, 27 May 2026
The cuts in Colin’s flesh—actually rips—were shallow.
—Stephen King, The Atlantic, 15 May 2026
No photos in the living room — a policy that tightened after guests snapped pictures of Taylor Swift with Matty Healy — and a dress code that allows jeans, but the expensive kind with no rips.
—George Gurley, HollywoodReporter, 13 May 2026
Good luck with your Bowman rips.
—Corey Merriman, New York Times, 13 May 2026
There’s nothing worse than spending too much on a stylish bag only to find that the lining rips or the hardware breaks after just a few wears.
—Jacqueline Tempera, PEOPLE, 19 Apr. 2026
Two easy ways to ensure the grass is mowed properly is, according to Cannon, to know the turf type and how much to mow and use a sharp mower blade to avoid tears or rips, which are basically open wounds on the plant.
—Lauren David, Southern Living, 12 Apr. 2026
The luxury department store chain employs 1,500 people to provide tailoring and alternations, from hemming jeans and repairing rips to fitting suits and reworking evening gowns.
—Anne D’innocenzio, Los Angeles Times, 6 Apr. 2026
Dave Grohl plays drums, and absolutely rips.
—Emma Madden, Pitchfork, 13 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rips
Verb
-
If any of those are missing on the platform side, the acquisition will find the gap and pull on it until something tears.—
Louis Mosca,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2026
-
The Un Certain Regard best actor award went to Bradley Fiomona Dembeasset for his turn in Rafiki Fariala’s Congo Boy, playing a teen talent in the Central African Republic who dreams of a career in music as a civil war tears his country apart.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
22 May 2026
Verb
-
Carolina are a force, but their style does actually surrender odd man rushes, etc.—
Pierre LeBrun,
New York Times,
1 June 2026
-
After spending much of the season together in Italy wth Claude’s family, their future plans are suddenly thrown into question when Danny rushes back to Philly after his mother is hospitalized.—
Jane LaCroix,
PEOPLE,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
Kennedy then pins the snake’s head and grabs it by the mouth, avoiding any potential venomous bites.—
Drew Pittock,
USA Today,
28 May 2026
-
Davis grabs two suitcases off the belt, pulls out a handheld computer that looks like an extra-rugged iPad, and scans the bar codes on the luggage tags.—
Joel Rose,
NPR,
26 May 2026
Noun
-
Featuring a billowing tank with deep side slits and matching straight-leg pants, this is the perfect set to pack for your summer vacation.—
Morgan Evans,
Condé Nast Traveler,
26 May 2026
-
Crafted from 100% silk, the piece drapes with fluidity, while the dramatic arm slits create movement in a way that feels almost costume-like, set for a movie.—
Tiana Randall,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2026
Noun
-
Nora Ephron for depressed perverts.—
Antonia Blyth,
Deadline,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Also, what many now interpret as Kubrick’s exposé of elite perverts was, in fact, mostly Schnitzler’s doing.—
Lane Brown,
Vulture,
17 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
The Suretivian Shredder Tool quickly and efficiently shreds chicken, pork, and other meats, earning nearly 20,000 five-star ratings.—
Rebecca Jones,
Southern Living,
23 May 2026
-
Meanwhile, male athletes get ripped to shreds 24/7 on television, radio, podcasts and social media without anyone questioning whether the existence of criticism itself is harmful to the sport.—
Amber Harding OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
The ones that are accepted are run through a machine that shakes the envelopes — this makes the ballot sink to the bottom of the envelope — and slices them open.—
Kaitlyn Schallhorn,
Oc Register,
28 May 2026
-
Beau Neidhardt slices a Kale Caesar Cutlet hoagie.—
Susan Spencer,
CBS News,
17 May 2026
Verb
-
That goes for much here, from the light that scurries away from Benjamín Echazarreta’s muted camera, to the moments of sweetness that punctuate Mariá Portugal’s largely ominous score.—
Jessica Kiang,
Variety,
14 May 2026
-
The way Radcliffe scurries out of his chair and into the green room to meet Liu illustrates her visceral impact.—
Marcus Thompson II,
New York Times,
11 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rips.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rips. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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