RIPS Synonyms: 208 Similar and Opposite Words

rips 1 of 3

verb

present tense third-person singular of rip

as in tears

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 slits

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 rushes

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in grabs

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

reattaches

rips

2 of 3

noun (1)

plural of rip

as in scratches

a long deep cut the hoe left rips in the lawn

Synonyms & Similar Words

rips

3 of 3

noun (2)

plural of rip

as in perverts

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

saints

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 rips

Verb

When an explosion rips through the hills, 35-year-old Nengsal is dug out of the debris having lost a leg. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026 Donalds rips opponent’s ‘complete 180’ as Dem’s own 2016 words come back to haunt him in tightening gov race. — FOXNews.com, 25 Sep. 2026 During a process called Hills capture, as a stellar binary orbits a supermassive black hole and the gravitational influence of the black hole rips the binary apart, ejecting one star while capturing the other. — Robert Lea, Space.com, 1 Sep. 2026 But the coyote has other plans and rips it up, forcing the matter to trial. — ArsTechnica, 31 Aug. 2026 Immediately after that, a powerful blast rips through the street. — Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026 Abbott is now racing to put standards on data centers in his state, as Democratic challenger Gina Hinojosa rips him for his initial support of the facilities. — Ashley Capoot,garrett Downs, CNBC, 20 Aug. 2026 Pouring them straight into a trash bag could lead to a smelly mess if the bag rips and leaks. — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 10 Aug. 2026 It’s followed by Watts, coming in on drums slightly offbeat, and then Richards, who rips the song open with his five-string open G tuning technique. — René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 July 2026

Noun

Opt for a dark wash without rips and frays to keep the look streamlined, but don't be afraid to play with proportions and have fun with patterns and texture. — Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 13 Oct. 2026 Inspect The Duvet’s Condition Next, examine your duvet for any rips, tears, or stains. — Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 25 Sep. 2026 The copper rivets, still used across jean designs today, were initially added to prevent rips frequently experienced by miners and other laborers. — Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 12 Sep. 2026 Very simply put, fade the rips and buy the dips has led to much near-term success. — Jay Woods, CNBC, 20 Aug. 2026 The interior section of my policy covers reconditioning, repair, or replacement of surfaces damaged due to normal wear and tear, including loose seam stitches, rips, and tears. — Christopher Elliott, Mercury News, 14 Aug. 2026 The last movie had crazy stuff going on with the multiverse, multiple Spider-Men, and rips in the space-time continuum. — Chris Lee, Vulture, 3 Aug. 2026 Bag tags in particular may sustain rips and spills and are easy to replace on the cheap—there’s no need to hold onto any that aren’t in good condition, Lubega notes. — Sarah Lyon, The Spruce, 28 July 2026 One of the standout pieces in Galecki’s room is a yellow chair with visible scratches, rips and worn fabric. — Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 24 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for rips

Verb

But as measles tears through many of their hometowns in central Pennsylvania, the national conversation has become paradoxically politically charged.

— Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 7 Oct. 2026
Following her father’s unexpected death, Carrie enters the public high school ecosystem and is forced to navigate a viral bullying scandal that tears through her community.

— Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of tears

Verb

Wild Lab Bakery sells decadent peanut butter cup cookies, as well, and Missy’s Pies slices up a droolworthy combo that features a layer of peanut butter on top of a chocolate brownie.

— Joey Skladany, Southern Living, 28 Sep. 2026
The Yellowstone River slices through its middle, a miles-long stretch of meadow called the Yellowstone Valley.

— Christine Peterson, Outdoor Life, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of slices

Verb

Defensive coordinator Corey Batoon dialed up more blitzes and two-high safety coverages in the second half, switching from a first-half strategy that was full of single-high and some three-man rushes.

— PJ Green, Kansas City Star, 17 Oct. 2026
Offensive player of the week Senior quarterback Ethan Gialo rushes for 207 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries during Lakes’ 31-14 Northern Lake County Conference win over Round Lake.

— Steve Reaven, Chicago Tribune, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of rushes

Verb

Nope, the Crimson Tide would most likely be on the outside looking in, while someone else from the SEC grabs their spot in the postseason.

— Trey Wallace OutKick, FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 2026
The suspect runs inside, grabs rolls of lottery tickets, stuffs them into a bag and runs out.

— Tara Lynch, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of grabs

Noun

For the Paris premiere of The Odyssey on July 8, Zendaya wore the same lace jacket over a sheer skirt with dramatic slits on the sides.

— Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 6 Oct. 2026
Plus, the side slits are practically made for showing off a pair of tall boots this fall.

— Brittany VanDerBill, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of slits

Noun

This blatant fealty over objectivity perverts the process by choosing personal loyalists instead of independent public servants.

— Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 6 Aug. 2026
This blatant expression of fealty over objectivity perverts the process by choosing personal loyalists instead of independent public servants.

— Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of perverts

Verb

Using a sharp knife, make crosswise slashes every 2 in [5 cm] along the body, cutting down to the bone.

— Emma Specter, Vogue, 14 Oct. 2026
Northrop Grumman slashes overall weight and reduces total part counts, manufacturing combat-ready autonomous jets at a fraction of typical costs.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 5 Oct. 2026