tear 1 of 2

as in slit
a long deep cut repaired a tear in the theater curtain just before the start of the show

Synonyms & Similar Words

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tear

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word tear different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of tear are cleave, rend, rip, rive, and split. While all these words mean "to separate forcibly," tear implies pulling apart by force and leaving jagged edges.

tear up the letter

When could cleave be used to replace tear?

In some situations, the words cleave and tear are roughly equivalent. However, cleave implies very forceful splitting or cutting with a blow.

a bolt of lightning cleaved the giant oak

When can rend be used instead of tear?

While in some cases nearly identical to tear, rend implies very violent or ruthless severing or sundering.

an angry mob rent the prisoner's clothes

In what contexts can rip take the place of tear?

The meanings of rip and tear largely overlap; however, rip implies a pulling apart in one rapid uninterrupted motion often along a line or joint.

ripped the shirt on a nail

When is rive a more appropriate choice than tear?

The words rive and tear can be used in similar contexts, but rive occurs most often in figurative use.

a political party riven by conflict

When would split be a good substitute for tear?

The words split and tear are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, split implies a cutting or breaking apart in a continuous, straight, and usually lengthwise direction or in the direction of grain or layers.

split logs for firewood

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of tear
Noun
No team is lining up to trade for a 35-year-old, undersized guard coming off an Achilles tear with $54 million owed next year. Brian Sampson, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025 Blake Monroe made her WWE debut earlier this month for the NXT brand as the company continued its tear of free-agent signings, shaking up the pro wrestling landscape. Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 20 June 2025
Verb
The initial plan was to tear it down to make way for a playlot. Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 22 June 2025 President Trump tore into Fox News on Thursday over a poll showing Americans virtually split on his handling of immigration issues and the southern border. Dominick Mastrangelo, The Hill, 19 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for tear
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tear
Noun
  • Mayan stelae and Melanesian slit gongs share the sunlight from a sloped glass wall abutting Central Park which has been specially reëngineered to protect photosensitive works.
    Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 30 June 2025
  • Tate McRae appeared at the F1 premiere in London in a black custom Balenciaga gown with a dramatic slit and tie at the waist.
    Catherine Santino, People.com, 25 June 2025
Verb
  • Meanwhile, boats all along the southwest shore were being swamped or ripped from their moorings and piling up on rocks or beaches, often crashing into other vessels.
    George Skelton, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2025
  • And, Roman says, a vital support system was ripped away: public services.
    Meg Anderson, NPR, 30 June 2025
Verb
  • The injunction holds that the administration is blocked from yanking Harvard's Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification, which was based on a May 22 revocation notice the Department of Homeland Security sent to Harvard administrators.
    Emily Berk, NBC news, 20 June 2025
  • There was a collective gasp when Ohtani yanked a pitch that sailed to the backstop, allowing Tatis to get to second base.
    Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 June 2025
Verb
  • At the other end, Federal trucks sped them to their destinations.
    Chase Peterson-Withorn, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
  • For such projects, L.A. County is expediting permitting timelines to speed up fire recovery.
    Jack Flemming, Los Angeles Times, 23 June 2025
Noun
  • The ability to generate ideas from scratch, to truly go from nothing to something, is a skill.
    Christian Hyatt, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
  • But then they are just met with crying meows and scratches at the door.
    Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 June 2025
Verb
  • Now, folks heading to Shenandoah National Park or beyond can grab some gas, hit the jerky wall, nab a Dr Pepper Icee, load up on fudge, use the famously clean bathrooms, and stock up on Buc-ee’s merch before heading back out on the road.
    Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 30 June 2025
  • My father seemed to crumple a little, shuddering, grabbing the edge of his desk to steady himself.
    Ottessa Moshfegh, New Yorker, 30 June 2025
Verb
  • The rats all scurry out of an ominous rustling bush, making their own little Fast and the Furriest sequel.
    Jocelyn Silver, Vogue, 6 June 2025
  • Several of the party’s candidates scurried around the Anaheim convention center, trying to curry favor with the state’s most liberal activists while also drawing contrasts with their rivals.
    Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 5 June 2025
Verb
  • Although Fraser-Pryce is known for contesting the 200-meter dash at her country’s championships, she’s opted not to race in it this year, following her decision not to do so last year as well.
    Katelyn Hutchison, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025
  • His role in Days of Thunder was that of a young driver, Cole Trickle, who was new to racing.
    Saajan Jogia, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Tear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tear. Accessed 6 Jul. 2025.

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