tear up
verb
tore up; torn up; tearing up; tears up
1
: to damage, remove, or effect an opening in
tore up the street to lay a new water main
2
: to perform or compete with great success on, in, or against
couples tearing up the dance floor
a batter who's tearing up the league
Examples of tear up in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In 2006, for example, the NBA changed its game ball to a synthetic one that players claimed tore up their hands.
—
Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 13 Mar. 2026
On the other end of the spectrum is a player who has been tearing up the Big Ten for four seasons.
—Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2026
Even after Zach Charbonnet tore up his knee, Walker still yielded snaps to the backup.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 8 Mar. 2026
Though both of them tear up, neither of them openly cries.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 6 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tear up
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Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 13 Mar. 2026
On the other end of the spectrum is a player who has been tearing up the Big Ten for four seasons.
—Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2026
Even after Zach Charbonnet tore up his knee, Walker still yielded snaps to the backup.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 8 Mar. 2026
Though both of them tear up, neither of them openly cries.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 6 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tear up
Cite this Entry
“Tear up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tear%20up. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.
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