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
At least Fred looks truly torn up about his role in this tragedy.
—
Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 24 Apr. 2026
There is something to be said for admitting that the prospects of disagreement are permanent and that wisdom consists not in tearing up the peace treaty but in renewing it.
—Nikhil Krishnan, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
Turkeys can tear up mulch and lawns, and even damage your plants.
—Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 16 Apr. 2026
Angela is slinky, pliable, and hungry to please, all but tearing up the Hays Code without lifting a finger.
—Joshua John Miller, Vanity Fair, 9 Apr. 2026
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.
Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 24 Apr. 2026
There is something to be said for admitting that the prospects of disagreement are permanent and that wisdom consists not in tearing up the peace treaty but in renewing it.
—Nikhil Krishnan, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
Turkeys can tear up mulch and lawns, and even damage your plants.
—Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 16 Apr. 2026
Angela is slinky, pliable, and hungry to please, all but tearing up the Hays Code without lifting a finger.
—Joshua John Miller, Vanity Fair, 9 Apr. 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 27 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
