rip apart

phrasal verb

ripped apart; ripping apart; rips apart

: to completely destroy (something) by tearing it into pieces

The child ripped the toy apart.

Strong winds had ripped apart many of the little beach bungalows.

—often used figuratively

a tragedy/scandal that almost ripped the family apart

: to criticize (someone or something) in a very harsh or angry way especially by describing weaknesses, flaws, etc.

Critics ripped the author's latest novel apart.

an article that rips apart the mayor's plan

Examples of rip apart in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

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Ships, once proud and sturdy, were ripped apart by torpedoes and bombs, sending massive plumes of fire and debris into the air. —

Alaa Elassar, CNN, 7 Dec. 2024 The storm ripped apart the country’s fragile electrical grid. —

Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel, 7 Nov. 2024 Its famous outfitter has been ripped apart like a box of candy by a black bear. —

Grayson Haver Currin, Outside Online, 4 Oct. 2024 Thereafter he was regularly seen on British TV screens tossing cabers, dragging lorries and ripping apart telephone books. —

The Week Uk, theweek, 2 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for rip apart