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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of tear down
Construction, which involves tearing down two 1980s-era office buildings to make room for hundreds of apartments, is expected to start this spring.
—
Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Mar. 2026
Trump had the East Wing torn down in October as part of the $400 million project, which is being paid for entirely by private donors like Amazon, Apple, Google, Meta and Microsoft.
—Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes.com, 26 Feb. 2026
It has been closed and torn down a while.
—Charlotte Observer, 24 Feb. 2026
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer said Monday the last remaining historical home facing Lake Eola will not be torn down as some residents feared, even as the city plans to expand a park entrance near its location.
—Camila Gomez, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tear down
Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Mar. 2026
Trump had the East Wing torn down in October as part of the $400 million project, which is being paid for entirely by private donors like Amazon, Apple, Google, Meta and Microsoft.
—Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes.com, 26 Feb. 2026
It has been closed and torn down a while.
—Charlotte Observer, 24 Feb. 2026
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer said Monday the last remaining historical home facing Lake Eola will not be torn down as some residents feared, even as the city plans to expand a park entrance near its location.
—Camila Gomez, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tear down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tear down
Verb
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The port has already planted acres of mangroves and sea grass and donated the land to the state of Florida to offset the habitat that would be destroyed during dredging.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
8 Mar. 2026
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The reasons for this cautious response are many, ranging from the precarious diplomatic implications of the conflict, disruptions to its energy security, and the embarrassing implications of allowing an ally to be destroyed.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
The Washington Examiner,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
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With the new bridge’s opening, the old iron bridge was demolished.—
IndyStar,
IndyStar,
6 Mar. 2026
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In December 2025, the old Harbormaster building was demolished, and utility and electrical work began, according to the project website.—
JT Moodee Lockman,
CBS News,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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People suffer and the country becomes ruined.—
Marc Weingarten,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
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Anti-Chafe Stick With sweaty bodies and lots of walking often comes chafing, something that can ruin a day in a theme park faster than a thunderstorm.—
Terri Peters,
Parents,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The storms shattered windows, tore off roofs and smashed vehicles in Kankakee.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
12 Mar. 2026
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Within 10 minutes, her windows shattered, the front door blew open and drywall started falling on top of her.—
Rebecca Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Born in Finland, raised in Boston, then wrecked in Ohio, the poor woman couldn’t exist as matter anymore.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Mar. 2026
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So last week … In Atlanta, Carson Hocevar wrecked Bell.—
Jeff Gluck,
New York Times,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The fires devastated Pacific Palisades and Altadena — destroying homes and businesses, displacing residents and killing 31 people.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Mar. 2026
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Most businesses are open and welcoming customers following January’s devastating Palisades Fire.—
Tim Chester,
Robb Report,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Wearing hooded sweatshirts and full-face masks, the robbers ordered employees to one part of the room at gunpoint before two of them smashed the glass display cases with sledgehammers, The Charlotte Observer previously reported.—
Nick Sullivan
March 7,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Mar. 2026
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Rocco-Herrmann/Getty Images After the price of silver smashed through a record $100 per ounce milestone in late January, many investors would be forgiven for expecting the metal to continue its remarkable surge upward largely unimpeded.—
Matt Richardson,
CBS News,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The president's endorsement didn't clear the GOP crowded field to replace Greene — some observers cast that as a sign of weakness — but Fuller easily overcame other Republican contenders.—
Rebecca Morin,
USA Today,
11 Mar. 2026
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Next, despite a close first half, Kansas State couldn’t overcome BYU and star freshman AJ Dybansta, falling to the Cougars 105-91 to finish off a disappointing season.—
Emily Curiel,
Kansas City Star,
11 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tear down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tear%20down. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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