1
as in tearing
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 slicing
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 rushing
to proceed or move quickly
the car went ripping down the road
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in yanking
to separate or remove by forceful pulling
rip a sheet off the pad of paper
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ripping
With two outs and Andruw Monasterio at second following a double, the slumping Caleb Durbin came up with one of his biggest hits of the season, ripping an RBI double to put the Red Sox ahead.
—
Mac Cerullo, Hartford Courant, 25 Apr. 2026
Images of the fire showed flames ripping through the building as firefighters carried out an exterior attack to extinguish the blaze.
—Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 24 Apr. 2026
There’s a lot of royalist television out there, and much of it is either pretty mid or revels in bodice-ripping trashiness.
—David Faris, TheWeek, 24 Apr. 2026
According to the National Weather Service, three separate tornadoes were confirmed in the state on Tuesday afternoon, one ripping the metal roof off a barn and snapping tree trunks in half.
—Joseph Serna, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026
Even with an uncertain geopolitical backdrop, the broader markets are staging a massive, face-ripping rally.
—Nishant Pant, CNBC, 21 Apr. 2026
When Steve Jobs handed the company to Cook in August 2011, Apple stock dragged for months before ripping 57% over the following year, according to a Morgan Stanley note from analyst Erik Woodring.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 21 Apr. 2026
While at Hewlett High, he and a friend were kicked out for ripping a bong hit in the dean’s bathroom.
—Steve Bloom, Rolling Stone, 20 Apr. 2026
Hunter consistently blows up running plays, ripping right through the interior of college offensive lines.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 19 Apr. 2026
Mac Cerullo, Hartford Courant, 25 Apr. 2026
Images of the fire showed flames ripping through the building as firefighters carried out an exterior attack to extinguish the blaze.
—Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 24 Apr. 2026
There’s a lot of royalist television out there, and much of it is either pretty mid or revels in bodice-ripping trashiness.
—David Faris, TheWeek, 24 Apr. 2026
According to the National Weather Service, three separate tornadoes were confirmed in the state on Tuesday afternoon, one ripping the metal roof off a barn and snapping tree trunks in half.
—Joseph Serna, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026
Even with an uncertain geopolitical backdrop, the broader markets are staging a massive, face-ripping rally.
—Nishant Pant, CNBC, 21 Apr. 2026
When Steve Jobs handed the company to Cook in August 2011, Apple stock dragged for months before ripping 57% over the following year, according to a Morgan Stanley note from analyst Erik Woodring.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 21 Apr. 2026
While at Hewlett High, he and a friend were kicked out for ripping a bong hit in the dean’s bathroom.
—Steve Bloom, Rolling Stone, 20 Apr. 2026
Hunter consistently blows up running plays, ripping right through the interior of college offensive lines.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 19 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ripping
Verb
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During a late-night safety test, the power plant’s Number 4 reactor exploded, tearing through the building and sending a column of radioactive material into the sky.—
Benjamin Mack-Jackson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
30 Apr. 2026
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The one that was about ambition and friendship and celebrating women, not tearing them down.—
Natalia Senanayake,
PEOPLE,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Let cakes stand in their pans for about 5 minutes, then turn out on a wire rack, peel off parchment paper and let cool completely before slicing.—
Gretchen McKay,
Boston Herald,
22 Apr. 2026
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Quigley snapped a long string of zeroes on the scoreboard, slicing a two-out, walk-off single to right field to score Abby Zawadzki from second base for the North Stars (8-0, 2-0).—
Rick Armstrong,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Wagner already missed 48 games during the regular season while working his way back from injury, and the caution surrounding his current calf strain is understandable given the risk associated with rushing that type of issue.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
30 Apr. 2026
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Let the conversation unfold without rushing to resolve it.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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After Correa doubled leading off the first against Tanner Bibee, Alvarez followed by yanking a curveball from the right-hander 422 feet over the wall in right field to give the Astros a 2-0 lead that held up for nine innings.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
22 Apr. 2026
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Supporters in labor unions and in the House soon began yanking their endorsements.—
Michelle Cottle,
Mercury News,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The prosecutor said Tran tried to take his own life by slitting a wrist, cutting his neck and poking a blade into his stomach.—
Sean Emery,
Oc Register,
5 Mar. 2026
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When Rochelle Luna, 18, arrived at the house hours later, Djerf bound, gagged and raped her before stabbing her and slitting her throat, court records said.—
Elena Santa Cruz,
AZCentral.com,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The drone can be seen intercepting a low-flying Ka-52, maneuvering towards its port weapon pylon before the footage dramatically cuts.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
27 Apr. 2026
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According to Delta's policies, there are no restrictions for flying while pregnant on the airline.—
Irene Wright,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Jaguars used their first pick of the NFL draft to land the blocking tight end Friday night, grabbing him in the second round with the 56th selection.—
Mark Long,
The Orlando Sentinel,
25 Apr. 2026
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The Seahawks stayed put yet again at the end of the second round, grabbing TCU safety Bud Clark with the 64th pick.—
Michael-Shawn Dugar,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Politicians from both parties are slashing rates and spinning loopholes.—
Annie Lowrey,
The Atlantic,
28 Apr. 2026
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The new budget proposes slashing OCR funding by 35%.—
Sequoia Carrillo,
NPR,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ripping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ripping. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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