TEAR DOWN Synonyms: 170 Similar and Opposite Words

tear down

verb

Definition of tear down

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

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 The demolition will take place in phases over three months until the building is torn down on the property. — Neil Strebig, Memphis Commercial Appeal, 10 July 2026 Morningside High will eventually be torn down for a residential development. — Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026 Two vacant structures would be torn down to make way for the 24,850-square-foot building anchored by john greene Realtor and john greene Commercial. — Carolyn Stein, Chicago Tribune, 9 July 2026 Most of the symbol is believed to have been torn down by patriots at the onset of the revolution, though the surviving third remains at the church. — Lianne Kolirin, CNN Money, 8 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for tear down

Recent Examples of Synonyms for tear down

Verb

The planters themselves get chipped, scratched, dented and, in one out of every three cases so far, destroyed.

— Josh Bergeron, Charlotte Observer, 24 July 2026
However, an unconfined plasma column could instantly destroy solid surfaces upon contact.

— Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 23 July 2026

Definition of destroy

Verb

Floyd is no longer attracted to his wife, has trouble connecting with his teen-age stepson, and owes tens of thousands in taxes—a set of stressors that are ruining his health.

— Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 22 July 2026
That would ruin a good thing, apparently, and Foerster credited Puni for not only playing through a knee injury last fall but overcoming early-career growing pains.

— Cam Inman, Mercury News, 20 July 2026

Definition of ruin

Verb

Six years ago, the signing of the Abraham Accords was dismissed by skeptics as a fragile, fair-weather agreement, bound to shatter at the first sign of Middle Eastern turbulence.

— Liron Zaslansky, semafor.com, 22 July 2026
For many Colombians, the attack on Uribe Turbay shattered the belief that the country had largely left behind the era when presidential candidates routinely became targets of political violence.

— Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 21 July 2026

Definition of shatter

Verb

In ‘The Strange Architect,’ VanderMeer explores the legacy of Arthur Bream, a man whose dreams of building a utopian community are wrecked when his daughter goes missing.

— Brent Lang, Variety, 23 July 2026
The brutal heat and intense working conditions inside the kitchen and the front area of the business come after a thief wrecked the rooftop air conditioning unit in search of copper wiring.

— Seamus Bozeman Follow, Los Angeles Times, 22 July 2026

Definition of wreck

Verb

We are devastated to learn of the passing of Kevin Keegan, one of the most iconic, influential and deeply loved figures in our club’s history.

— CNN Money, CNN Money, 20 July 2026
Recently, Rodríguez was photographed in a once-unthinkable meeting with uniformed IDF brass overseeing Israeli rescue efforts in the wake of two powerful earthquakes that have devastated Venezuela’s coastal region.

— Larry Luxner, Sun Sentinel, 20 July 2026

Definition of devastate

Verb

This actor, Yannis Kokiasmenos, came in for half a day and is holding his own, smashing this scene.

— Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 20 July 2026
Many have labeled the match dull, with neither team scoring until Spain’s Ferran Torres smashed the ball into the back of the net in the 106th minute to defeat reigning champs Argentina.

— Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 20 July 2026

Definition of smash

Verb

The team overcame significant injuries to finish 12-5 last season and win a playoff game as Shanahan finished fifth in voting for NFL Coach of the Year.

— Josh Dubow, Chicago Tribune, 25 July 2026
For example, while Messi may be today’s superstar, he was overcome by a coordinated system; so investing in the organization is critical.

— Bhaskar Chakravorti, Fortune, 25 July 2026

Definition of overcome

Browse Nearby Words

tearaways

tear down

teardrop

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Tear down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tear%20down. Accessed 27 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of tear down

verb

Example Sentences

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