rip apart
phrasal verb
ripped apart; ripping apart; rips apart
1
: to completely destroy (something) by tearing it into pieces
The child ripped the toy apart.
Strong winds had ripped apart many of the little beach bungalows.
—often used figurativelya tragedy/scandal that almost ripped the family apart
2
: to criticize (someone or something) in a very harsh or angry way especially by describing weaknesses, flaws, etc.
Critics ripped the author's latest novel apart.
an article that rips apart the mayor's plan
Examples of rip apart in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Horror is so often about the horror of watching the female body be ripped apart, exploited, cut, murdered.
—
William Earl, Variety, 5 Feb. 2025
The disaster was attributed to a a piece of foam that fell from the external rocket tank during launch, which opened a hole in a shuttle wing that caused the craft to rip apart on reentry.
—Doyle Rice, USA TODAY, 28 Jan. 2025
The vehicle can be seen getting violently ripped apart with parts flying up to 30 feet ahead.
—Latoya Gayle, People.com, 20 Jan. 2025
Hurricane Ravages Ballpark The ferocity of Hurricane Milton last fall forced the Rays out of Tropicana Field after the roof of the domed stadium, ripped apart in the long-lasting storm, fell in – literally.
—Dan Schlossberg, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025
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William Earl, Variety, 5 Feb. 2025
The disaster was attributed to a a piece of foam that fell from the external rocket tank during launch, which opened a hole in a shuttle wing that caused the craft to rip apart on reentry.
—Doyle Rice, USA TODAY, 28 Jan. 2025
The vehicle can be seen getting violently ripped apart with parts flying up to 30 feet ahead.
—Latoya Gayle, People.com, 20 Jan. 2025
Hurricane Ravages Ballpark The ferocity of Hurricane Milton last fall forced the Rays out of Tropicana Field after the roof of the domed stadium, ripped apart in the long-lasting storm, fell in – literally.
—Dan Schlossberg, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for rip apart
Dictionary Entries Near rip apart
Cite this Entry
“Rip apart.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rip%20apart. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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