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Definition of ripnext
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
In December of 2015, four tornadoes ripped through the region, killing two people and injuring seven more. Diana Leyva, Nashville Tennessean, 6 Nov. 2025 Bender ripped a handful away from the plates, with a sound like velcro tearing. Calmatters, Mercury News, 6 Nov. 2025
Noun
Yeah, sure, there’s a whole load of DVD rips and that kind of thing, which is fine. Chris Willman, Variety, 29 Nov. 2025 Wires, lights in the eyes and rips in the fabric add to the Springtrap representation. Natalie Davies, Freep.com, 16 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for rip
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rip
Verb
  • The Pacers were without Isaiah Jackson (concussion), Bennedict Mathurin (right thumb sprain), Obi Toppin (right foot stress fracture) and Tyrese Haliburton (right Achilles tendon tear).
    Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 11 Jan. 2026
  • Leaving broken branches and stems in place potentially makes branch damage worse, allows bark to tear further, and leaves plants more exposed to diseases and winter winds.
    Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • If the experimenter reads the information about which slit the photon passed through, there will never be an interference pattern.
    Paul Sutter, Space.com, 20 Dec. 2025
  • Police say when an officer tried to detain him, Cooksey threatened to slit the officer's throat.
    CBS News, CBS News, 19 Dec. 2025
Verb
  • The self-flying camera is equipped with a 4K camera capable of recording at up to 100 frames per second.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 10 Jan. 2026
  • On Wednesday, numerous commemorations and tributes occurred in the devastated communities and throughout the city and county of Los Angeles —including flags flying at half-staff at City Hall, county buildings and at all state buildings.
    City News Service, Daily News, 10 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Therefore Primate and its promising central character turns more into a typical slasher flick, repeatedly knocking off the swimsuit-wearing teens one by one, his specialty being yanking out jaws and other bloody grossouts.
    Pete Hammond, Deadline, 8 Jan. 2026
  • Officer Alex Millan then yanked open the passenger door of the suspects’ car; at the same time, the car drove forward over the curb.
    Bay Area News Group, Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • There’s one more tip that will make slicing soft cheese simple.
    Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Jan. 2026
  • Grate it for a slaw, or add it thinly sliced to salads for a refreshing crunch.
    Dr. Steven Gundry, CNBC, 9 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Rafiq thanked the shopkeeper and hurried out of the bazaar’s maze-like structure to find his car.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 Jan. 2026
  • Caracas, Venezuela — The morning after US forces bombed Caracas, dragged President Nicolás Maduro out of bed, carted him over the Caribbean and installed him in a Brooklyn jail, many Venezuelans hurried to the grocery store.
    Mary Triny Mena, CNN Money, 5 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Tri-State Fishing and Outdoor Show Don your camo gear and grab your fishing poles for the Tri-State Fishing and Outdoor Show.
    Caroline Ritzie, Cincinnati Enquirer, 7 Jan. 2026
  • The suspects, seen grabbing armfuls of merchandise during multiple rounds of theft, reportedly fled in a U-Haul truck, Lower Merion Police told Fox 29 Philadelphia.
    Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 7 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Major airlines have announced further cancellations to hundreds of flights scheduled through the weekend after more than 1,000 were slashed on Friday.
    Emma Tucker, CNN Money, 8 Nov. 2025
  • Fiserv’s crash came after the compan y slashed its full-year guidance and announced several changes to its executive leadership team.
    Pia Singh, CNBC, 8 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Rip.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rip. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on rip

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