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
Matt Rogers isn't too torn up about missing the chance to become the permanent co-host of Today's fourth hour.
—
Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Jan. 2026
Except for that victory at the Etihad — Amad was in a position to cause such damage because Amorim played him in an unusual role infield, which City never got to grips with — those moments came when Amorim essentially tore up his system, went rogue, and United scraped their way over the line.
—Michael Cox, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
This fast-growing tree has a root system that will tear up your yard in no time.
—Steve Bender, Southern Living, 30 Dec. 2025
Was suspended, the show returned, with Kimmel himself thanking fellow talk-show hosts, tearing up in moments during the return.
—Callum Sutherland, Time, 28 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tear up
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.
Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Jan. 2026
Except for that victory at the Etihad — Amad was in a position to cause such damage because Amorim played him in an unusual role infield, which City never got to grips with — those moments came when Amorim essentially tore up his system, went rogue, and United scraped their way over the line.
—Michael Cox, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
This fast-growing tree has a root system that will tear up your yard in no time.
—Steve Bender, Southern Living, 30 Dec. 2025
Was suspended, the show returned, with Kimmel himself thanking fellow talk-show hosts, tearing up in moments during the return.
—Callum Sutherland, Time, 28 Dec. 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 8 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share