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
Relevance
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
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 down
Then the company will slowly tear down the Glass House over the next 18 months with most of it gone by the end of 2027 or mid-2028.
—
Jamie L. Lareau, USA Today, 20 Sep. 2025
Because under the Biden administration, the FDA tore down nearly every safety regulation surrounding the drug.
—Lila Rose, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025
Lewis is learning how to be more present in a way that’s valuable to Jax and communicate in a way that’s building and not tearing down.
—Giana Levy, Variety, 18 Sep. 2025
The last remaining original structure was torn down in 1993.
—Julie Tremaine, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tear down
Jamie L. Lareau, USA Today, 20 Sep. 2025
Because under the Biden administration, the FDA tore down nearly every safety regulation surrounding the drug.
—Lila Rose, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025
Lewis is learning how to be more present in a way that’s valuable to Jax and communicate in a way that’s building and not tearing down.
—Giana Levy, Variety, 18 Sep. 2025
The last remaining original structure was torn down in 1993.
—Julie Tremaine, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tear down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tear down
Verb
-
Mayor Vitali Klitschko said a five-floor apartment building in the Solomyanskyi district was partially destroyed and caught fire.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
28 Sep. 2025
-
Mexico built a hydroelectric dam, where these golden barrel cactuses live and in an instant their environment was destroyed and this species was almost wiped out.—
Eyder Peralta,
NPR,
28 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Of the 27 homes on their street in the Rollins neighborhood, 25 were either destroyed, demolished or suffered extensive damage that left them unlivable until they could be gutted and rebuilt, Heath said.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
26 Sep. 2025
-
While the tower still exists and houses seniors, the cottages were demolished to make way for a mixed-income development.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.—
Don Sweeney,
Miami Herald,
23 Sep. 2025
-
Doing so could compromise the slight taper at the hem, ruining the silhouette.—
Shea Simmons,
PEOPLE,
22 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Following the field goal, the Browns were able to pull down a huge interception on Love, leading to a score from Judkins.—
James Brizuela,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Sep. 2025
-
Using a resistance band or cable anchored overhead to one side, use both hands to pull down diagonally across your body to the opposite side, like chopping wood.—
Dana Santas,
CNN Money,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Finally, impact strength assesses a material’s ability to absorb sudden shocks without shattering, highlighting that the hardness alone doesn’t always mean toughness.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
26 Sep. 2025
-
Any sense of safety that once existed in the Qatari capital – a longtime haven for Hamas officials, with the tacit agreement of the US and Israel – has now been shattered.—
Jeremy Diamond,
CNN Money,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
America will be watching Monday night’s early game, perhaps in much the same way traffic can’t help but slow to watch two cars that have just wrecked.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
25 Sep. 2025
-
The crash marks the second time a vehicle wrecked into a dentist’s office in the Kansas City metro this week.—
Kendrick Calfee,
Kansas City Star,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Her journey has brought her to Cloonboo, a town devastated by the Great Famine that ravaged the land between 1845 and 1852.—
Keith Phipps,
Vulture,
25 Sep. 2025
-
Related Stories Fans were devastated to hear that Cavill was not going to continue with the series.—
Zack Sharf,
Variety,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Boiled potatoes, on the other hand, can be ready to mash, smash, or sauce in as little as 15 minutes.—
Molly Baz,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
22 Sep. 2025
-
After a 15-year career in New Orleans smashing records with Payton, the now-46-year-old Brees connected with Payton's newest franchise QB this offseason as Nix spent several days traveling down to San Diego for visits.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
22 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tear down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tear%20down. Accessed 30 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share