teardown

1 of 2

noun

tear·​down ˈter-ˌdau̇n 

: the act or process of disassembling

tear down

2 of 2

verb

tore down; torn down; tearing down; tears down

transitive verb

1

a

: to cause to decompose or disintegrate

b

: vilify, denigrate

trying to tear down his reputation

2

: to take apart : disassemble

tear down an engine

Synonyms of teardown

Verb

• destroy
• ruin
• demolish
• shatter
• wreck
• devastate
• smash
• overcome
• pull down
• damage

Examples of teardown in a Sentence

Verb

vandals tore down the wooden fence blocking the entrance to the beach

the new owners apparently bought the house just to tear it down and build a lavish mansion in its place

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Years before the building even took shape, the dialogue scripted a narrative where those suggesting teardowns were inflicting some cancer upon the urban landscape. —Nate Freeman, Vanity Fair, 6 Mar. 2026

After three years of spinning their wheels, the Sharks, under Grier, began a near-total teardown in 2022, sinking to the bottom of the NHL standings as several veterans were shipped out for draft picks and prospects. —Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 3 Mar. 2026

Verb

The City Council then returned to the matter in August, approving a contract with Fowler Enterprises for $33,450 to tear down the building. —Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 3 Mar. 2026

With sustainability at the forefront of their minds, Vince and Michelle sourced items like leftover brick from neighbors for the floor, and wood from a dock torn down at White Rock Lake’s marina for the planter beds. —Mary Grace Granados, Dallas Morning News, 3 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1926, in the meaning defined above

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for teardown

• adown
• blowdown
• breakdown
• countdown
• crackdown
• crosstown
• downtown
• drawdown
• dropdown
• facedown
• godown
• hometown

Kids Definition

tear down

verb

: to knock down and break into pieces

tear down an old building