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
First look at Earl of Sandwich rooftop bar coming to Downtown Disney
The original Earl of Sandwich restaurant was torn down in 2022 along with AMC Theatre, Starbucks West and Sugarboo and Co. as part of the renovation of the west end of Downtown Disney.
—
Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 16 June 2025
Silay City, in the province’s north, has the most significant collection, though nature has reclaimed many, with kudzu and strangler figs grabbing roof tiles and tearing down walls.
—Jeff Chu, Travel + Leisure, 16 June 2025
There’s a catch: Before the sale can go through, the company wants the Landmarks Preservation Commission to de-designate the building so that it can be torn down.
—Justin Davidson, Curbed, 27 June 2025
His daytime classical studies and nighttime performances in Paris jazz clubs helped to solidify his theory that the walls between classical and jazz were artificial and should be torn down.
—Jon Burlingame, Variety, 26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for tear down
Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 16 June 2025
Silay City, in the province’s north, has the most significant collection, though nature has reclaimed many, with kudzu and strangler figs grabbing roof tiles and tearing down walls.
—Jeff Chu, Travel + Leisure, 16 June 2025
There’s a catch: Before the sale can go through, the company wants the Landmarks Preservation Commission to de-designate the building so that it can be torn down.
—Justin Davidson, Curbed, 27 June 2025
His daytime classical studies and nighttime performances in Paris jazz clubs helped to solidify his theory that the walls between classical and jazz were artificial and should be torn down.
—Jon Burlingame, Variety, 26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for tear down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tear down
Verb
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The lawsuit alleges that Merit Street’s business partner, Trinity Broadcasting of Fort Worth, destroyed its television network and forced the bankruptcy declaration.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 July 2025
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Grand Canyon Lodge North Rim wildfire: National Park Service says only hotel destroyed The Grand Canyon Lodge was the park's only hotel, according the National Park Service, with the next nearest lodgings roughly 18 miles away.—
John Tufts,
IndyStar,
14 July 2025
Verb
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It was held at Isaza’s grandparents’ house, which was about to be demolished.—
Sigal Ratner-Arias,
Billboard,
10 July 2025
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Shops at Sunset Place, a landmark mall in South Miami, will be demolished and replaced by towers filled with condos, a hotel, offices, a theater and restaurants.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
8 July 2025
Verb
-
The ceiling was now on the floor, the world had turned itself upside down, her outfit and her day and her rug were seemingly ruined—and yet she herself was not hurt.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 July 2025
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However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.—
Olivia Lloyd
July 9,
Miami Herald,
9 July 2025
Verb
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It’s designed with a hidden cutout in the back that makes the jumpsuit easy to pull down during bathroom breaks.—
Jasmine Gomez,
Travel + Leisure,
8 July 2025
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In February 2023, Bonnie Varnes, a school bus driver in the Toledo area, got pulled down in her backyard and mauled to death by her daughter's dog, Amina.—
Laura A. Bischoff,
The Enquirer,
2 July 2025
Verb
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But the resulting scandal shatters her reputation, as well as that of Nina’s teenage daughter, Clara.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
People.com,
9 July 2025
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In those terrifying moments, Ryan shattered a window in a final attempt to get his family out.—
Alaa Elassar,
CNN Money,
6 July 2025
Verb
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Day camp providers and schools are warning that a Trump administration funding freeze could wreck summer for low-income American families and wipe out some after-school programming next year.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
2 July 2025
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Social media is abuzz with Tatsuki's prophecy of a catastrophic earthquake and tsunami wrecking her home country of Japan -- a place prone to natural disasters but also a top destination for many in Asia -- sometime between July 5 and 7.—
Britt Clennett,
ABC News,
1 July 2025
Verb
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She’s devastated by how badly water and air pollution have affected businesses, tourism and overall quality of life.—
Tammy Murga,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 July 2025
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John Tufts The Grand Canyon North Rim, including the historic Grand Canyon Lodge, has been devastated by the Dragon Bravo wildfire.—
John Tufts,
IndyStar,
14 July 2025
Verb
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Security then pulled Paul from the ring, but not before destroyed Jelly’s music equipment, smashing guitars, pushing over amps, and trashing the drum set.—
Mitchell Peters,
Billboard,
13 July 2025
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Back came Gunther, and both wrestlers smashed into each other, shoulder-first.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
13 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tear down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tear%20down. Accessed 23 Jul. 2025.
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