rip-off 1 of 2

noun

ˈrip-ˌȯf How to pronounce rip-off (audio)
Definition of rip-offnext
as in theft
an instance of theft a daring burglary of the art museum that resulted in one of the greatest rip-offs in history

Synonyms & Similar Words

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rip off

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to rob
to remove valuables from (a place) unlawfully the teens ripped off the store where they had been working for the summer

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2
as in to steal
to take (something) without right and with an intent to keep the thief ripped off some jewelry as soon as no one was looking

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to cheat
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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of rip-off
Noun
And a quick search showed that the Cambridge Analytica story is, in fact, a clear rip-off of a recent story by 404 Media journalist Matthew Gault. — Maggie Harrison Dupré, Futurism, 30 July 2026 These designs, as well as rip-off versions, are still ubiquitous in Mexico today. — Jack Lang, New York Times, 5 July 2026
Verb
One tiny drop on the collar of a jighead will greatly diminish a fish’s ability to rip off the lure when short striking. — Joe Cermele, Outdoor Life, 15 Oct. 2026 Coach Dan Quinn ripped off his headset and slammed it to the ground. — Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rip-off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rip-off
  1. theft
  2. rob
  3. steal
  4. cheat
  5. swipe
  6. squeeze
  7. pluck
  8. hustle
Noun
  • The charges against Strange arose after studio employees alerted the FBI of the theft in January 2025, alleging the unfinished releases were shared to a number of online platforms.
    — Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The economic impact of business vandalism in France extends the economic consequences of retail theft.
    — Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of theft
Verb
  • He was convicted of robbing and killing a woman in order to buy drugs in 2004.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Photojournalist Heidi Levine was knocked down, beaten, and robbed of her camera equipment by masked settlers in an attack captured on video by other journalists.
    — Cameron Peters, Vox, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of rob
Verb
  • Video on social media showed distressed shopkeepers begging young men to stop stealing their inventory—and those young men pushing them aside to grab shoes and food from their shelves.
    — Jim Edwards, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026
  • The response comes as the French government increases scrutiny of online marketplaces following reports that goods stolen during Saturday’s unrest were being offered for sale online.
    — Sadie Andrew, CNN Money, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of steal
Verb
  • But the idea that girls are being cheated is personal for some athletes.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Miller—who is no stranger to extramarital tabloid scandals herself—has also mastered her getting-cheated-on performances.
    — Elise Taylor, Vanity Fair, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of cheat
Verb
  • The Kindle feels slower than the Paperwhite, occasionally hanging when quickly swiping through collections or loading graphics-heavy pages.
    — Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Thieves made off with nearly $1 million in sports, Pokémon and other trading cards swiped from a FedEx truck in Southern California last week, police said Monday.
    — Dennis Romero, NBC news, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of swipe
Verb
  • For hungry Southerners trying to squeeze a meal into their lunch breaks, that’s a major blunder.
    — Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Push through the soles of your feet and squeeze your glutes to drive your hips upward.
    — Jenessa Connor, HEALTH, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of squeeze
Verb
  • The Royals plucked manager Matt Quatraro from the Rays organization in 2022.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The Orioles plucked Jared Banner from the Cubs to be their new general manager under Mike Elias.
    — Josh Tolentino, Baltimore Sun, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of pluck
Verb
  • In Frankfurt, a gray city crumbling at the corners and still finding its footing after the war, though somehow doing its best to pretend all is well, Mann and Erika are greeted by the mayor and hustled off to a press conference.
    — Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The two firefighters, listening to their radios, hustled to the upstream bridge, prepared rope and watched the water.
    — Abe Streep, ProPublica, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of hustle

Browse Nearby Words

ripens
rip-off
rip off
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Cite this Entry

“Rip-off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rip-off. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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