RIP Synonyms: 209 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

rip 1 of 3

verb

ˈrip

Definition of rip next

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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as in to slit

to penetrate with a sharp edge (as a knife) you can see where someone ripped the painting with a penknife

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in to fly

to proceed or move quickly the car went ripping down the road

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to yank

to separate or remove by forceful pulling rip a sheet off the pad of paper

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

reattach

rip

2 of 3

noun (1)

as in tear

a long deep cut the hoe left rips in the lawn

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rip

3 of 3

noun (2)

as in pervert

a person who has sunk below the normal moral standard something of a rip in his youth, he eventually settled down

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

saint

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

Examples 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

As the Palisades fire ripped through the Los Angeles hillsides above the community at 10.30am, Rabuchin’s boss and the store’s owner, Elyse Walker, evacuated the store, a Towne by Elysewalker shop across the street and a third store in nearby Calabasas. —

Christina Binkley, Vogue, 10 Jan. 2025 The Palisades fire burned a path of devastation, ripping through homes and businesses in the Santa Monica Mountain foothills all the way to Pacific Coast Highway. —

Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2025

Noun

Ideal for outdoor activities like hiking, they’re made from a woven, water-resistant material that’s also designed to resist rips and tears. —

Jordan Galloway, SELF, 26 Oct. 2024 Every one of these rips away my immersion into this story, reminding us instead of a far better one. —

Erik Kain, Forbes, 13 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for rip

Recent Examples of Synonyms for rip

Verb

However, his past actions have led to skepticism about his commitment to this cause. Silva, who was brought to the U.S. as a baby, has spent his entire life in this country, yet the fear of being torn from his family and home grows each day.

Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 7 Jan. 2025
Barkley tore a page out of his friend Michael Jordan’s book and took it personally.

Zach Harper, The Athletic, 6 Jan. 2025

Definition of tear

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Style

“Rip.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rip. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.

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Last Updated: 19 Jan 2025 - Updated example sentences

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Synonyms of rip

verb

noun (1)

noun (2)

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