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
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
-
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
-
Homes, businesses and synagogues were destroyed.—
Arizona Republic,
AZCentral.com,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
During the closure, crews will demolish the Lister Avenue Bridge and the pedestrian bridge at Oakley Avenue over I-70.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
7 Nov. 2025
-
The military showed us a map of Hamas tunnel routes Israeli forces are still discovering and demolishing in the area.—
Daniel Estrin,
NPR,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
That’s why his mistress threw in with Frank to intimidate Dale into a land deal that would have ruined any chance of Chutto’s family ever getting their land back.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Because when those premiums go up by 100, 200%, people’s lives are ruined.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
However, questions about the Pike statue in the nation's capital were raised years before it was pulled down.—
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Oct. 2025
-
Use the Perfect Picking Technique Don’t pull down on an apple to pluck it from the tree.—
Andrea Beck,
Better Homes & Gardens,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Mamdani’s victory places him at the forefront of a global cohort of diaspora leaders who have shattered political ceilings in recent years.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
-
At Tesla’s annual meeting on Thursday, shareholders voted in favor of giving CEO Musk a gargantuan, record-shattering pay package that could give him stock worth $1 trillion after several years.—
Geoff Colvin,
Fortune,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
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
-
Last year’s devastating drought in the Amazon Basin was made 30 times more likely by climate change, according to a report from World Weather Attribution, a network of scientists that analyze extreme weather events.—
Laura Paddison,
CNN Money,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Earlier this year, California’s devastating Eaton Fire destroyed much of Altadena, a diverse, creative community just north of Pasadena.—
Tori Latham,
Robb Report,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
In the village of Hula in southern Lebanon, a monument engraved with the names of almost 100 Lebanese killed here in 1948 just after the creation of the state of Israel lies covered in graffiti and smashed to pieces.—
Jane Arraf,
NPR,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Helm smashes some trees and things.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tear down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tear%20down. Accessed 10 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share