1
as in robbing
to remove valuables from (a place) unlawfully
the teens ripped off the store where they had been working for the summer
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in stealing
to take (something) without right and with an intent to keep
the thief ripped off some jewelry as soon as no one was looking
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in cheating
to rob by the use of trickery or threats
an investigation revealed that a whole slew of suppliers had been ripping off the defense department
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ripping off
On Tuesday, a Miami federal judge ordered Graham’s immediate surrender to the Bureau of Prisons after sentencing him to seven years for ripping off millions from his mother.
—
Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 17 Sep. 2025
Is Emmy award winning show The Pitt ripping off ER?
—James Folta, Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2025
The pre-waxed strips latch onto hairs with the strength of a baby’s fist, yanking them out right at the roots with about as much discomfort as ripping off a (very sticky) Band-Aid.
—Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
To say nothing of ripping off the title of one of the better songs in the Pearl Jam discography.
—Rob Lancit, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
The Red Sox ambushed the New York Yankees in Sunday night’s series finale, ripping off six runs in the first inning en route to a 6-4 win.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 15 Sep. 2025
Mark Ruffalo stars as veteran FBI agent Tom Brandis, who’s assigned to lead a task force to catch a gang of low-level crooks who’ve been putting on Halloween masks and ripping off local drug dealers, in a scheme reminiscent of Apple TV+’s recent Dope Thief.
—Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 28 Aug. 2025
Because Paterno had corrected course after four losing seasons in five years, ripping off 51 victories from 2005 to ‘09, there wasn’t much urgency to invest and improve.
—Ralph D. Russo, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2025
Hurtado was out for a jog when the dogs bit her arms and legs, ripping off her flesh and leaving large cuts, deputies said.
—Paloma Chavez, Sacbee.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 17 Sep. 2025
Is Emmy award winning show The Pitt ripping off ER?
—James Folta, Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2025
The pre-waxed strips latch onto hairs with the strength of a baby’s fist, yanking them out right at the roots with about as much discomfort as ripping off a (very sticky) Band-Aid.
—Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
To say nothing of ripping off the title of one of the better songs in the Pearl Jam discography.
—Rob Lancit, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
The Red Sox ambushed the New York Yankees in Sunday night’s series finale, ripping off six runs in the first inning en route to a 6-4 win.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 15 Sep. 2025
Mark Ruffalo stars as veteran FBI agent Tom Brandis, who’s assigned to lead a task force to catch a gang of low-level crooks who’ve been putting on Halloween masks and ripping off local drug dealers, in a scheme reminiscent of Apple TV+’s recent Dope Thief.
—Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 28 Aug. 2025
Because Paterno had corrected course after four losing seasons in five years, ripping off 51 victories from 2005 to ‘09, there wasn’t much urgency to invest and improve.
—Ralph D. Russo, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2025
Hurtado was out for a jog when the dogs bit her arms and legs, ripping off her flesh and leaving large cuts, deputies said.
—Paloma Chavez, Sacbee.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ripping off
Verb
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The first episode immediately introduces Tom (played by Mark Ruffalo), a grizzled former Catholic priest turned FBI agent, and Robbie (Tom Pelphrey), a trash collector with a side hustle robbing drug houses by way of documenting their daily routines.—
Sophie Gilbert,
The Atlantic,
17 Sep. 2025
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In 2012, one year after being found guilty of raping and robbing two other women, Bester was convicted for the rape and murder of his model girlfriend, Nomfundo Tyhulu, per BBC.—
Jordana Comiter,
PEOPLE,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Green Berets and Army Rangers have been busted trafficking cocaine on military planes, dealing drugs at Fort Bragg, working for Mexican cartels, stealing military weapons, committing murders for hire, and carrying out at least two mass shootings.—
Seth Harp,
Harpers Magazine,
19 Sep. 2025
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The suspects were accused of tying Kardashian up with zip ties and duct tape before stealing her jewelry, including a $4 million engagement ring gifted to her by then-husband rapper Ye, formerly known as Kanye West.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The type of state where he’s been found guilty of cheating cheating, and she’s been found guilty of emotionally cheating.—
Victoria Uwumarogie,
Essence,
19 Sep. 2025
-
You guys have been dealing with the fallout of this cheating scandal for three years.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Navigating through your book can be done by setting up the volume keys to turn the pages, swiping left or right with your fingers, or activating one of the nine ‘hotspots’ on the screen to page forward, page back, or access the settings on the Boox reader app.—
Ewan Spence,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
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Back in the lineup after being hit by a pitch on the knee on Sunday, Buxton had two hits and took off after the first one, swiping his 22nd base of the season.—
Betsy Helfand,
Twin Cities,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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That could be due to tariffs squeezing automakers, disincentivizing them from giving discounts.—
Senior Reporter,
PC Magazine,
12 Sep. 2025
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This could be done by either squeezing the regular season even tighter with more midweek fixtures or putting the Wembley final back a week.—
Richard Sutcliffe,
New York Times,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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When two people pop a small confetti cannon into the air, Speed launches himself back with a cry, knocking over the set and barely missing the cake that has his face on it.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
5 Sep. 2025
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Many cat owners have seen their cat sleeping in a sunny patch on the bed, or even knocking over plants and whatever else is in the way to get an ideal window-napping position.—
Meghan Holmes,
Treehugger,
7 Aug. 2025
Verb
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When not plucking away at a keyboard, Madison teaches yoga and mountain bikes with her two Australian shepherds, Cholla and Poppy, through Missoula's Rattlesnake Wilderness.—
Madison Dapcevich,
Outside,
15 Sep. 2025
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Brother Dusk detonates explosives that shatter the cryonic chamber of Cleon clones, bodies raining down in blood and glass, before plucking a single embryo from the wreckage to bait Demerzel’s deepest programming.—
JP Mangalindan,
Time,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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After the Department of Transportation issued a stinging blow to consumers by rolling back a rule requiring airlines to compensate passengers for delays, the agency has upgraded its airline complaint system.—
AFAR Media,
AFAR Media,
15 Sep. 2025
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It’s revealed that Sklar was Lori’s inspiration as a child to become an artist, only to crush that spark a dozen or so years later with stinging cruelty.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
9 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ripping off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ripping%20off. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
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