rip 1 of 3

1
as in to tear
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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rip

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noun (1)

rip

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noun (2)

Synonym Chooser

How is the word rip different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of rip are cleave, rend, rive, split, and tear. While all these words mean "to separate forcibly," rip implies a pulling apart in one rapid uninterrupted motion often along a line or joint.

ripped the shirt on a nail

When might cleave be a better fit than rip?

The synonyms cleave and rip are sometimes interchangeable, but cleave implies very forceful splitting or cutting with a blow.

a bolt of lightning cleaved the giant oak

When can rend be used instead of rip?

While the synonyms rend and rip are close in meaning, rend implies very violent or ruthless severing or sundering.

an angry mob rent the prisoner's clothes

When could rive be used to replace rip?

Although the words rive and rip have much in common, rive occurs most often in figurative use.

a political party riven by conflict

In what contexts can split take the place of rip?

While in some cases nearly identical to rip, split implies a cutting or breaking apart in a continuous, straight, and usually lengthwise direction or in the direction of grain or layers.

split logs for firewood

Where would tear be a reasonable alternative to rip?

In some situations, the words tear and rip are roughly equivalent. However, tear implies pulling apart by force and leaving jagged edges.

tear up the letter

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 rip
Verb
After seeing off the serve, Svitolina edged her way forward and then ripped a forehand up the line that Paolini could only float back in response. Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 1 June 2025 Now the Trump administration wants to negate that argument by asserting that to harm an endangered species means only to injure or kill it directly: to rip it out by the roots or blow it away with a shotgun. Emma Marris, The Atlantic, 25 May 2025
Noun
Ari Wald, head of technical analysis at Oppenheimer, recommends buying the dips and selling the rips in the stock market, urging investors to keep in mind their investment horizons to see where and when to add or reduce exposure. Sarah Min, CNBC, 21 Apr. 2025 Using dull pruners can cause rips and ragged cuts to the foliage that will invite disease to enter the bulbs. Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 9 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for rip
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rip
Verb
  • If the tag recommends dry cleaning, washing in cold water in the washing machine, or tumble-drying on medium heat in the dryer, follow those instructions to avoid fading, shrinking, tearing, or otherwise compromising your duvet.
    Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 31 May 2025
  • Authorities said the inmates pulled open faulty sliding cell doors, tore out a bathroom to create a hole in the jail, and then climbed a wall to escape.
    Jonathan Limehouse, USA Today, 29 May 2025
Verb
  • Everyone, even the children, have scars from where the corners of their mouths have been slit up into their cheeks, Joker-style.
    Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 27 Apr. 2025
  • There are no marks on the bones directly attributable to a cause of death, Green said, and the Romans typically killed their sacrifices by slitting their throats or through drowning.
    Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 8 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • This technology allows even those with limited flying experience to handle the bike safely and confidently.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 1 June 2025
  • This was the first launch since Bezos' fiancé Lauren Sánchez flew with an all-woman crew that included pop star Katy Perry and TV morning show host Gayle King in April.
    Robert Z. Pearlman, Space.com, 31 May 2025
Verb
  • Weekend warriors yank out invasive plants to save L.A. River.
    Hailey Branson-Potts, Los Angeles Times, 27 May 2025
  • This month, officials yanked millions in tax receipts from restaurant sales as well as state marketing support, according to local affiliate ABC4.
    John Wenzel, Denver Post, 22 May 2025
Verb
  • Calamari Fries At Clever Koi, a modern Asian eatery in Greater Phoenix, calamari steak is sliced into strips, lightly battered in tempura, and flash-fried for a crispy, zesty bite.
    Kaila Yu, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
  • Last year’s series MVP sliced a first-pitch fastball over left fielder Cody Bellinger’s head for a run-scoring double.
    Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 31 May 2025
Verb
  • Snag a pair before the sale ends on May 26 at 8 a.m. Eastern, and hurry, because popular styles and sizes are sure to fly off the (virtual) shelves.
    Nicol Natale, People.com, 23 May 2025
  • Aunt Phoebe hurries the girls home — to their residences and to the Red Center — before any cloak-red blood gets spilled.
    Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 13 May 2025
Verb
  • Appeal To All Five Senses People still like going out, meeting others and grabbing coffee.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
  • Scott grabbed some pizza and returned to park her Subaru near the West Shore Market to wait for Serafini.
    Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 6 June 2025
Verb
  • His college admissions have been the subject of speculation since the Trump administration's Tuesday, May 27, decision to slash all remaining federal funding to the Ivy League institution.
    Madison E. Goldberg, People.com, 28 May 2025
  • Some Harvard labs, including one working on human organs-on-chips, which replicate the function of organs, have received stop-work orders following the Trump Administration’s efforts to slash funding.
    Solcyré Burga, Time, 27 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Rip.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rip. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

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