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
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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
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Recent Examples of rips
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
Of course, Wallace already rips the ball away from dribblers more than anyone else.
—Fred Katz, New York Times, 8 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
Above this playful mess of a beat, which includes a music box-like instrument that sounds partially broken, Shabaka rips out brief and noisy phrases on tenor sax.
—Mark Richardson, Pitchfork, 12 Mar. 2026
It’s generally accepted that John rips Carolyn’s engagement ring off her finger in the park, and returns it when sitting on the curb.
—Radhika Seth, Vogue, 27 Feb. 2026
Costarring Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas and Elle Fanning, the film rips open the emotional wounds that are often left by one's parents.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 26 Feb. 2026
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
The technology is also moving into textiles and wearables, where self-repairing fabrics can mend small rips or abrasions, extending product life and reducing waste.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 11 Feb. 2026
Silky and quiet, the 10-denier nylon (100 percent recycled) proved durable enough to resist snags or rips over two years of heavy use in Colorado’s high peaks.
—Kelly Bastone, Outside, 10 Feb. 2026
After washing and drying the sheet set several times, there were no signs of loose seams, pilling rips, holes, or color fading.
—Brandi Fuller, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Jan. 2026
Care and Repair Before cleaning or storing, fix rips and tears in winter coats, including linings.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 14 Jan. 2026
Verb
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
Of course, Wallace already rips the ball away from dribblers more than anyone else.
—Fred Katz, New York Times, 8 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
Above this playful mess of a beat, which includes a music box-like instrument that sounds partially broken, Shabaka rips out brief and noisy phrases on tenor sax.
—Mark Richardson, Pitchfork, 12 Mar. 2026
It’s generally accepted that John rips Carolyn’s engagement ring off her finger in the park, and returns it when sitting on the curb.
—Radhika Seth, Vogue, 27 Feb. 2026
Costarring Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas and Elle Fanning, the film rips open the emotional wounds that are often left by one's parents.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 26 Feb. 2026
Noun
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
The technology is also moving into textiles and wearables, where self-repairing fabrics can mend small rips or abrasions, extending product life and reducing waste.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 11 Feb. 2026
Silky and quiet, the 10-denier nylon (100 percent recycled) proved durable enough to resist snags or rips over two years of heavy use in Colorado’s high peaks.
—Kelly Bastone, Outside, 10 Feb. 2026
After washing and drying the sheet set several times, there were no signs of loose seams, pilling rips, holes, or color fading.
—Brandi Fuller, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Jan. 2026
Care and Repair Before cleaning or storing, fix rips and tears in winter coats, including linings.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 14 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rips
Verb
-
The current moment tears the Band-Aid off this old conflict and the complex system underneath.—
Caroline Wagner,
The Conversation,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Drink, drugs and sometimes tears.—
Jessica Guynn,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Running back Adrian Peterson #28 of the Minnesota Vikings rushes for a 48 yard touchdown against the Denver Broncos in the fourth quarter of a game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on October 4, 2015 in Denver, Colorado.—
Riley Moser,
CBS News,
11 May 2026
-
Everyone in the group rushes together.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
Fans start to notice what's happening about five seconds into it, and then another man comes up behind the fan, grabs him and tackles him into the seats.—
Zach Dean OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
7 May 2026
-
And if no candidate grabs a majority in either of those races, this district’s voters might have to go to the polls four times.—
East Bay Times editorial board,
Mercury News,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
The Food Processor quickly chops, slices, and shreds a wide array of ingredients for unlimited culinary creations, while the Coffee & Spice Grinder efficiently grinds coffee beans, spices, and herbs for superior flavor and potency.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Trump admin official shreds NY Times over multiple corrections to report on Silicon Valley initiative.—
,
FOXNews.com,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The map slices through Kansas City, splitting the city’s voters across three Republican-leaning districts.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Toast 2–4 slices bread of choice (such as country-style sourdough or multigrain).—
Rebecca Firkser,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
Bridgerton fans can spot the Old Royal Naval College mostly throughout season 2, like when a paperboy scurries across the grounds to deliver the latest gossip from Lady Whistledown in the first episode.—
Kayla Keegan,
PEOPLE,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Maden takes thee wine bottle from him and the officers reach for his wrists but Brown resists and yanks his arms back, the video shows.—
Rocco Parascandola,
New York Daily News,
19 Apr. 2026
-
Leaphorn yanks the jug his way (despite being cuffed) and is able to put the filter packet down his pants.—
Jordan Hoffman,
Entertainment Weekly,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
SpaceX's Starlink is rolling out a new deal that slashes the monthly price of the satellite internet service in the US by $21.—
Michael Kan,
PC Magazine,
5 May 2026
-
Earlier in the film, Kenobi slashes off the arm of a creature who was known then as Walrus Man and is known now as Ponda Baba.—
Mike Ryan,
IndieWire,
4 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rips.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rips. Accessed 13 May. 2026.
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