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 All the more reason to ensure that those responsible follow the rules in deciding what to tear down and what to build up at the People’s House. — Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 31 Aug. 2026 Trump will depart sooner or later, the banners will be torn down and much of his petty talk will be and should be forgotten. — Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Aug. 2026 Demolition crews this month began tearing down another complex, the Lindy Boggs Medical Center, which had sat blighted and vacant for more than 20 years after Katrina. — Jack Brook, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026 In 2026, multiple Flock cameras in California were vandalized, torn down or destroyed by civilians leading to arrests in Sacramento County, Monterey County, Placer County and Alameda County. — Sacbee.com, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for tear down

Recent Examples of Synonyms for tear down

Verb

In 2025, Ukraine smuggled over 100 drones into Russia inside cargo trucks to conduct strikes that damaged or destroyed roughly one-third of Russia’s active bomber fleet and caused approximately $7 billion in damages.

— Seth G. Jones, Foreign Affairs, 3 Sep. 2026
Some 36,000 houses and buildings were destroyed or damaged, and more than 2,000 people are still living in evacuation centers, including school gymnasiums and community centers.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of destroy

Verb

The fight between a small Georgia community and tech giant Meta has escalated this week after four families filed a lawsuit against the company alleging a central Georgia data center project has contaminated their water and ruined their home values.

— Irene Wright, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026
Gen, forgetting her swollen wrist, perks up at the thought of having a new person to ruin sheets with.

— Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of ruin

Verb

As dark occurrences begin to shatter the quiet of their isolated home, the boy is forced to navigate a harrowing psychological nightmare where the line between real-world madness and supernatural terror blurs.

— Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 1 Sep. 2026
Both Russia and China have tested missiles that destroy satellites; a Russian test in 2021 shattered an inactive satellite into more than a thousand pieces.

— Jeffrey Lewis, Foreign Affairs, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of shatter

Verb

The violent swings that powered his game, launching golf balls far beyond his competitors, also wrecked his back and knees.

— Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 1 Sep. 2026
An eight-game lead with 25 games left is a virtual lock for Brewers manager Pat Murphy and his wrecking crew, as even optimistic Cubs fans understand.

— Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of wreck

Verb

Rescue crews and foreign specialists are racing to find scores of workers feared trapped alive inside hydropower tunnels in Nepal, after thick mud buried the facilities during last week’s devastating flash floods.

— Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 31 Aug. 2026
Travelers hoping to visit the Grand Canyon in coming days may want to adjust their plans after devastating flash flooding that has left at least two people dead and more than a dozen others missing.

— Eve Chen, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of devastate

Verb

The Tar Heels’ ability to overcome some sloppiness — and, yes, take advantage of a slew of TCU mistakes — was a positive intangible sign after Belichick’s brutal debut season and offseason.

— Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2026
But to overcome 30 years of Republican dominance, Talarico needs votes from everywhere.

— Eleanor Dearman Updated August 29, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of overcome

Verb

And yet the company's earnings garners scant attention compared to those names, to say nothing of Nvidia, which smashed expectations last week.

— Michael Khouw, CNBC, 31 Aug. 2026
Bland said officers were dispatched after a 911 caller reported that Garcia had been walking down the street with a baseball bat, smashing car windows.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of smash

Browse Nearby Words

tearaways

tear down

teardrop

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“Tear down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tear%20down. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of tear down

verb

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