rip-off

1 of 2

noun

ˈrip-ˌȯf 

1

: an act or instance of stealing : theft

also : a financial exploitation

2

: a usually cheap exploitive imitation

rip off

2 of 2

verb

ripped off; ripping off; rips off

transitive verb

1

a

: rob

also : cheat, defraud

b

: steal

2

: to copy or imitate blatantly or unscrupulously

3

: to perform, achieve, or score quickly or easily

ripped off 10 straight points

Synonyms

Noun

• grab
• heist
• pinch
• snatching
• swiping
• theft

Verb

• burglarize
• burgle
• knock off
• knock over
• rob
• steal (from)
• take off [slang]

Examples of rip-off in a Sentence

Noun

a daring burglary of the art museum that resulted in one of the greatest rip-offs in history

Verb

the teens ripped off the store where they had been working for the summer

the thief ripped off some jewelry as soon as no one was looking

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

They're getting rid of anything in the government that supports consumers, that supports citizens against the rip-off artists who are their friends. —CBS News, 16 Feb. 2025

Project 2025 noted that the Civil Penalty Fund was created both to provide money to compensate victims of financial rip-offs and to fund programs in financial literacy and consumer education. —Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2025

Verb

Looking Ahead: After looking listless and broken for almost all of calendar year 2025, Cincinnati has ripped off a three-game winning streak to resuscitate its at-large hopes. —Jim Root, The Athletic, 13 Feb. 2025

Donovan ripped off his shirt to unveil a sports bra after his final goal in a tribute to the South Bay’s Brandi Chastain. —Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 10 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1969, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1967, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

rip-off

1 of 2 noun

ˈrip-ˌȯf

: an act or an instance of ripping off

rip off

2 of 2 verb

ˈrip-ˈȯf

1

: rob sense 1a

also : to cheat someone : defraud

2

: steal entry 1 sense 2a