tear up

verb

tore up; torn up; tearing up; tears up

transitive verb

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
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.
The turf that Moeller witnessed being torn up and hauled away was installed prior to the 2024 season and had a backfill of coconut husks and cork. Tom Layberger, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026 The fans in Mexico clamored for him, cashing him to tear up a bit. Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 26 May 2026 Trippier played 46 matches in all competitions, tearing up the right wing, firing in crosses and free kicks. George Caulkin, New York Times, 16 May 2026 In 2020, after Trump concluded his joint address, Pelosi tore up her copy of the speech, following the president’s refusal to shake her hand. Hailey Bullis, The Washington Examiner, 10 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for tear up

Word History

First Known Use

1620, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of tear up was in 1620

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tear up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tear%20up. Accessed 31 May. 2026.

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