rip apart

phrasal verb

ripped apart; ripping apart; rips apart

: 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

: 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 Photographs meanwhile show ed walkie-talkie devices that had been ripped apart during the explosions. —

Rob Picheta, CNN, 18 Sep. 2024 And seeing that getting broken down and broken down and broken down and ripped apart a little bit. —

Raven Brunner, Peoplemag, 4 Sep. 2024 The judge ripped apart Biden’s argument as unconvincing. —

Ashley Oliver, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 1 Sep. 2024 Buildings are ripped apart, like Lego structures under a toddler’s onslaught. —

Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 14 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for rip apart

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'rip apart.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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“Rip apart.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rip%20apart. Accessed 4 Oct. 2024.

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