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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of tear down
Once demolition got underway, Jonathan updated that the entire East Wing was torn down in two days.
—
Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 2 Nov. 2025
When the country’s noblest values are being torn down with a wrecking ball, Gunn is earnestly telling stories that try to build them up, insisting that in a time of rising despair, hope is still punk rock.
—Matt Zoller Seitz, Vulture, 31 Oct. 2025
Just 28% of Americans support it, with 15% strongly supporting the East Wing being torn down for a ballroom, the poll found.
—Emily Guskin, ABC News, 30 Oct. 2025
Shortly after the release of this movie, the real Gonjiam Psychiatric Hospital was torn down.
—Katie Rife, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tear down
Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 2 Nov. 2025
When the country’s noblest values are being torn down with a wrecking ball, Gunn is earnestly telling stories that try to build them up, insisting that in a time of rising despair, hope is still punk rock.
—Matt Zoller Seitz, Vulture, 31 Oct. 2025
Just 28% of Americans support it, with 15% strongly supporting the East Wing being torn down for a ballroom, the poll found.
—Emily Guskin, ABC News, 30 Oct. 2025
Shortly after the release of this movie, the real Gonjiam Psychiatric Hospital was torn down.
—Katie Rife, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tear down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tear down
Verb
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So, automation can be used to destroy labor or workers’ power, but it can also be used in the opposite direction.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Nov. 2025
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Homes, businesses and synagogues were destroyed.—
Arizona Republic,
AZCentral.com,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
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It is designed to mirror the East Wing addition after the previous building was demolished last year.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
9 Jan. 2026
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In order to do so, the city has to acquire the land and purchase the properties — valued at $22 million total — and demolish them, causing several businesses to close or relocate to make way for the project.—
Taylor O'Connor,
Kansas City Star,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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And, from this week’s issue, Nicola Twilley’s reporting on another lingering effect of the wildfires—smoke taint that is ruining grapes and threatening California’s wine industry.—
Dana Goodyear,
New Yorker,
7 Jan. 2026
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This will either change your life or ruin you.—
Outside Online,
Outside Online,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Center Neemias Queta pulled down 20 rebounds — the most by any Celtic since Jared Sullinger in 2015 — but was a game-worst minus-16 across his 24 minutes.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
8 Jan. 2026
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This is reached by a sliding door and has his and hers wardrobes, a TV mounted on the ceiling that pulls down for vertical viewing, and a queen-sized storage bed.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The Creature is slowed, however, when gunfire shatters the ice around its feet, plunging it into the cold sea.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
10 Jan. 2026
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Troconis’ case for being a cooperating witness was shattered when Dulos died after attempting to commit suicide in January 2020, Bowman testified.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Guardiola’s lads look back to their best in the early months of this season after the extended wobble in the previous one that wrecked their hopes of a fifth straight domestic title.—
Andy Jones,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
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Phillips croons about a mother’s bond with her child as Swinton walks off, her character freshly wrecked by a visit with her son in prison.—
Shirley Li,
The Atlantic,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Group members want to see Bonta’s office take ownership of a review, as occurred in Hawaii after Maui’s devastating Lahaina fire.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Jan. 2026
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The regime’s regional proxies have been devastated.—
Bobby Ghosh,
Time,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The conservative impulse — skepticism of sweeping change, respect for traditions, wariness of unintended consequences — can prevent politics from becoming a moral joyride that smashes against the guardrails and calls it courage.—
Robert T.F. Downes,
Hartford Courant,
6 Jan. 2026
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As Hodges stood there, scared and vulnerable, the man grabbed his baton and bashed him on the head with it, rupturing his lip and smashing his skull.—
Jamie Thompson,
The Atlantic,
6 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tear down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tear%20down. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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