rip
6 synonyms and 0 antonyms for rip, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To tear something apart quickly and forcefully.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use rip
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Middle English rippen, "to pluck," related to Old English words for tearing or plundering.
Full origin of rip →Frequently asked questions
What does “rip” mean?
The word “rip” means to tear something apart quickly and forcefully. In plain terms, to tear something forcefully, or a tear itself.
How do you pronounce “rip”?
“Rip” is pronounced rihp (/ɹɪp/ in IPA).
How do you use “rip” in a sentence?
Here is “rip” used in a sentence: “He ripped the wrapping paper off the gift.”
What is another word for “rip”?
Words with a similar meaning to “rip” include tear.
What part of speech is “rip”?
Depending on how it is used, “rip” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “rip” come from?
The word “rip” comes from Old English. From Middle English rippen, "to pluck," related to Old English words for tearing or plundering.
Is “rip” a common word?
“Rip” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “rip” have?
“Rip” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to tear something apart quickly and forcefully.
What is the difference between "rip" and "tear"?
Both mean to pull something apart, but "rip" suggests a quicker, rougher, more forceful action, while "tear" is the more general term and can be gentle or accidental. You might tear a page neatly, but you rip it out in a hurry.
What is the difference between "rip" and "cut"?
"Rip" means to pull material apart by force, leaving a rough, uneven edge, whereas "cut" uses a sharp tool such as scissors or a knife to make a clean, controlled line. A ripped seam looks ragged, while a cut one is straight.
What do phrases like "rip off" and "rip up" mean?
In "rip up," rip keeps its literal sense of tearing something to pieces, as in "rip up the letter." "Rip off" is informal and means to cheat or overcharge someone, so a "rip-off" is something priced unfairly.