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 figuratively
a 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
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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 At various points in the third-person action-adventure, the fabric of Indika’s reality is ripped apart, the game’s geometry morphing, transmuting, and reconfiguring itself, all while Lucifer chatters incessantly in her ear. Lewis Gordon, Vulture, 5 Dec. 2024 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 2 Feb. 2025.

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