1
as in to destroy
to bring to a complete end the physical soundness, existence, or usefulness of
vandals tore down the wooden fence blocking the entrance to the beach
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to demolish
to destroy (as a building) completely by knocking down or breaking to pieces
the new owners apparently bought the house just to tear it down and build a lavish mansion in its place
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of tear down
So, if a redevelopment project tore down a slum that generated only a pittance in taxes and replaced it with a complex of fancy office buildings and hotels, the area would now generate huge tax revenues, with all the increase to be kept by the agency.
—
James Burling, Oc Register, 28 July 2025
Fans also try to tear down fences and clash with police at a Death From Above 1979 reunion show at the Beauty Bar.
—Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 23 July 2025
The old house was quickly torn down to make way for something far more ambitious.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 4 Aug. 2025
With Minnesota tearing down its roster amid a franchise sale, Correa eagerly approved a trade to the team that rebuilt around him in the 2010s.
—Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tear down
James Burling, Oc Register, 28 July 2025
Fans also try to tear down fences and clash with police at a Death From Above 1979 reunion show at the Beauty Bar.
—Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 23 July 2025
The old house was quickly torn down to make way for something far more ambitious.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 4 Aug. 2025
With Minnesota tearing down its roster amid a franchise sale, Correa eagerly approved a trade to the team that rebuilt around him in the 2010s.
—Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tear down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tear down
Verb
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For weeks after the house was destroyed, Ms. Monarrez couldn’t sleep.—
Jill Cowan,
New York Times,
19 Aug. 2025
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Large dangerous waves will likely inundate and destroy protective dune structures.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
19 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Even an old grain silo near the former Nickel Plate train station raised a few hackles when it was demolished.—
John Tuohy,
IndyStar,
14 Aug. 2025
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When a building gets demolished, what happens to all that concrete, glass, stone or metal?—
Sydney Franklin,
The Enquirer,
10 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Her Altadena home and the surrounding community were ruined by the Eaton wildfires that ripped through Los Angeles in January.—
Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal,
Parents,
14 Aug. 2025
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But a sewer backup during this weekend's historic flood ruined 60 of the backpacks, Maya Bell reports.—
Hope Karnopp,
jsonline.com,
14 Aug. 2025
Verb
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That was showcased on Sunday when second-year safety Patrick McMorris pulled down a second-quarter interception on a pass intended for Bears receiver Samori Toure that cornerback Ethan Bonner tipped on contact.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
10 Aug. 2025
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Like the Yeti, rubber T-latches can take some muscle to pull down and latch.—
Francesca Krempa,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
7 Aug. 2025
Verb
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But true evil transcends death…As Gwen begins to receive calls in her dreams from the black phone and experience disturbing visions, her determination to solve the mystery will lead her and Finn to a snowed-in winter camp and a shattering discovery about the Grabber and their own family’s history.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
14 Aug. 2025
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What is there to say when our souls have been shattered day after day, week after week, year after year?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The chief said the suspect wrecked the vehicle before taking a Volkswagen from a car dealership.—
Greg Wehner,
FOXNews.com,
11 Aug. 2025
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Houses and sections of a port have been wrecked or swept out to sea.—
Robin George Andrews,
Scientific American,
30 July 2025
Verb
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Officials gathered Monday at a shopping center in Seymour that was devastated on Aug. 18, 2024 by massive flooding and mud that damaged multiple stores in the plaza and knocked them out of business for months and more.—
Christopher Keating,
Hartford Courant,
19 Aug. 2025
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Some movies aim to entertain, while others devastate.—
Allison DeGrushe Published,
EW.com,
15 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The woman then allegedly hit the driver’s car with a tire iron, smashed her windows, and threw a brick at her car.—
Saleen Martin,
USA Today,
23 Aug. 2025
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Each form usually comes with a unique ability that can be used to traverse areas, clear obstacles, and enhance gameplay in some way such as swimming better in her mermaid form, crawling up webs as a spider, or smashing boulders as an elephant.—
David Jagneaux,
Forbes.com,
22 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tear down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tear%20down. Accessed 27 Aug. 2025.
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