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
When Swift won the 2015 Grammy for album of the year, cameras captured Gomez tearing up in the audience, her pride unmistakable.
—
Bryan West, USA Today, 6 Oct. 2025
During the New Year fireworks, Ka-young tears up, no doubt remembering Iblis’ firework display the year prior.
—Kayti Burt, Time, 3 Oct. 2025
Next, tear up a package of mini croissants.
—Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 3 Oct. 2025
The twosome was visibly emotional, with Trent smiling widely and Selena appearing to tear up, footage shows.
—Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 2 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tear up
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Bryan West, USA Today, 6 Oct. 2025
During the New Year fireworks, Ka-young tears up, no doubt remembering Iblis’ firework display the year prior.
—Kayti Burt, Time, 3 Oct. 2025
Next, tear up a package of mini croissants.
—Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 3 Oct. 2025
The twosome was visibly emotional, with Trent smiling widely and Selena appearing to tear up, footage shows.
—Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 2 Oct. 2025
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 9 Oct. 2025.
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