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
The tear down is the easy part in the early stages of a renovation.
—
Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 17 Feb. 2026
If an opportunity to develop the little park outside Rita’s comes along, there will need to be conversation with the Historic Preservation Commission along with various city departments before the Fountain can be torn down or relocated.
—Jesse Wright, Chicago Tribune, 16 Feb. 2026
Instead of tearing down the brick, crews constructed internal walls to keep the outside brick facade through historical preservation techniques.
—Dallas Morning News, 11 Feb. 2026
So that September night in 1972, our sentimental journey was the final gala event before the Strand Theater closed down forever – and it was torn down the following month.
—Jody Mamone, Hartford Courant, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tear down
Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 17 Feb. 2026
If an opportunity to develop the little park outside Rita’s comes along, there will need to be conversation with the Historic Preservation Commission along with various city departments before the Fountain can be torn down or relocated.
—Jesse Wright, Chicago Tribune, 16 Feb. 2026
Instead of tearing down the brick, crews constructed internal walls to keep the outside brick facade through historical preservation techniques.
—Dallas Morning News, 11 Feb. 2026
So that September night in 1972, our sentimental journey was the final gala event before the Strand Theater closed down forever – and it was torn down the following month.
—Jody Mamone, Hartford Courant, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tear down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tear down
Verb
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Shipwreck hunters have been searching the lakes with more urgency in recent years out of concerns that invasive quagga mussels are slowly destroying wrecks.—
Todd Richmond,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Feb. 2026
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However, archaeologists faced a significant challenge—how to penetrate its secrets without destroying it in the process?—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The former Portage Township Schools Administration building will be the first to be demolished this spring when workers begin preparing to build the new Aylesworth Middle School.—
Doug Ross,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Feb. 2026
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The village is demolishing homes to make way for the redevelopment and will relocate residents elsewhere on campus, Timberlake said.—
Nathan Pilling,
Kansas City Star,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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That was what Ilia Malinin endured on Friday night, when his disastrous free skate ruined his chances for gold.—
Dave Skretta,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Feb. 2026
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Steam cleaning is an effective way to sanitize and refresh your mattress, but the wrong technique can end up ruining the fabric.—
Madeline Buiano,
Martha Stewart,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Illinois pulled down 15 offensive rebounds, which led to 17 second-chance points, and outrebounded Indiana 38-25.—
Steve Stein,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Feb. 2026
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Every August, Spain's population shuffles—locals flee inland cities for the coast, small-town restaurants pull down their shutters, and tourist destinations hit peak season.—
Ryan Craggs,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Jamerson’s dreams of a solid return to a school that snubbed him were shattered.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
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Officer Nik Anderson was struck in the arm, shattering his humerus bone.—
Claire Osborn,
Austin American Statesman,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
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From tiny insects like flies and butterflies at the edge of the frame, to large mountains, clouds full of rain, even great wrecking machines — everything is animated with precision and beauty.—
Murtada Elfadl,
Variety,
18 Feb. 2026
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The 1992 play was produced for the Paradise Factory theater in Greenwich Village, which credits Noonan for opening the space where an ice cream shop and hat factory operated before a fire wrecked the building.—
Brian Niemietz,
New York Daily News,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The Los Angeles County district attorney is investigating whether Southern California Edison should be criminally prosecuted for its actions in last year’s devastating Eaton wildfire, which killed 19 people and left thousands of families homeless, the company said Wednesday.—
Melody Petersen,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
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Tanimoto’s father, who grew up in Hiroshima — the Japanese city later devastated by the first atomic bomb — immigrated to Hawaii before raising his family in Northern California and had recently retired from farming.—
Jake Goodrick,
Sacbee.com,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Those skipping romance this season can name an ex after a pile of animal feces, shred old photos for dining deals or smash their way through staged date nights in rage rooms.—
Julian Torres,
CNN Money,
14 Feb. 2026
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No matter what, Bella Hadid will always smash a theme.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
14 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tear down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tear%20down. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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