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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of tear down
The Berkeley Cafe building was torn down nearly two years ago, and in its place a New York developer has plans to build a 36-story apartment tower.
—
Zachery Eanes, Axios, 22 Jan. 2025
Most Popular Most Popular This beachfront condo building was bought and torn down in South Florida.
—Abigail Hasebroock, Sun Sentinel, 25 Jan. 2025
Voters agreed to create the Denver Urban Renewal Authority and tax themselves to tear down 30 blocks of existing buildings in the hopes that developers would fill the blank slates with modern structures.
—Aldo Svaldi, The Denver Post, 24 Jan. 2025
An existing house was torn down and in 2004 was replaced by the innovative alternative now on the market for $15 million.
—Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 23 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for tear down 
Zachery Eanes, Axios, 22 Jan. 2025
Most Popular Most Popular This beachfront condo building was bought and torn down in South Florida.
—Abigail Hasebroock, Sun Sentinel, 25 Jan. 2025
Voters agreed to create the Denver Urban Renewal Authority and tax themselves to tear down 30 blocks of existing buildings in the hopes that developers would fill the blank slates with modern structures.
—Aldo Svaldi, The Denver Post, 24 Jan. 2025
An existing house was torn down and in 2004 was replaced by the innovative alternative now on the market for $15 million.
—Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 23 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for tear down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tear down
Verb
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In addition to Meester and Brody, Cameron Mathison, Anna Faris, Ricki Lake, Cary Elwes and Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag were among the stars who confirmed that their homes were also destroyed.—
Stephanie Wenger,
People.com,
8 Feb. 2025
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The storm destroyed every structure on the island, wiping out the concert stage, tiki bar, giant slide and food truck.—
Gabrielle Calise Tampa Bay Times (TNS),
arkansasonline.com,
8 Feb. 2025
Verb
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According to the El Cajon Boulevard Business Improvement Association, the restaurant was later demolished to make way for Interstate 805.—
San Diego Union-Tribune,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Feb. 2025
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The roof and several walls of her modest home have been demolished, leaving Jahjouh with just one room covered with a makeshift roof.—
Tareq Al Hilou,
CNN,
5 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Ancient people weren't about to let these pests ruin their crops or their lives.—
Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi,
Discover Magazine,
14 Feb. 2025
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The film ends with Ross going full Red Hulk in the White House Rose Garden (oops), nearly ruining his legacy (Sterns’ real prize) and ultimately forcing him to admit his wrongdoing, give up his office, and head to The Raft to serve an undetermined amount of time in the floating prison.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
14 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Jaxson Robinson added 17 points on 6-for-16 shooting while Amari Williams had a double-double, scoring 10 points and pulling down 15 rebounds.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
12 Feb. 2025
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In just two of those contests, Reese put up more points than Clark, while pulling down more rebounds than Clark in all four meetings.—
Jackson Thompson,
Fox News,
2 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Officers recovered 15 9 mm shell casings from a Jan. 28 afternoon skirmish involving four people in a store parking lot in the 8300 block of Roberts Road that sprayed bullets into a car, shattering the rear windshield and flattening two tires, police said.—
Dennis Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Feb. 2025
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In Mexico, a period of relative calm was shattered with the killing of five journalists as gangs and political groups clashed ahead of the June 2024 election.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
12 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The powerful storm wrecked Tropicana Field, home to Major League Baseball’s Tampa Bay Rays, rendering the stadium unplayable for this season and possibly longer.—
Sammy Roth,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Feb. 2025
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There's little doubt about next week being a 'climate emergency' with extreme cold—perhaps historical—wrecking the central United States.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
13 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Friends began to worry, and then were devastated by the news, KATV reported.—
Mitchell Willetts,
Kansas City Star,
6 Feb. 2025
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As the fires devastated the city, some of the first aid administered to Los Angeles was provided by chefs and restaurants.—
Stephanie Breijo,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2025
Verb
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France’s Ad Vitam has entered Netflix’s all-time top ten for most popular non-English movies on its platform one week after Culpa Tuya smashed records for Amazon.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
7 Feb. 2025
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These carnivorous crustaceans pack a powerful punch that can smash mollusk shells at speeds of up to 50 miles per hour and even break glass.—
Laura Baisas,
Popular Science,
7 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near tear down
Cite this Entry
“Tear down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tear%20down. Accessed 19 Feb. 2025.
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