tear down

verb

Definition of tear downnext
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

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 Several of this week’s top single-family contracts were for homes that will likely be torn down and redeveloped. — Catherine Odom, Miami Herald, 25 Aug. 2026 The site has now been sequestered and Malosso was ordered to tear down the theater, though its fate remains to be seen. — Julia Buckley, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026 Several bus routes, however, have been detoured to accommodate the set up and tear down of the race. — Mike Stunson, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2026 The 34-acre site now houses Beckman-Coulter, which will be moving in approximately two years and the buildings torn down. — Terri Daxon, Oc Register, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for tear down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tear down
  1. destroy
  2. demolish
  3. ruin
  4. shatter
  5. wreck
  6. devastate
  7. overcome
  8. smash
Verb
  • Almost 50 homes and other structures have been destroyed so far; there have been several injuries, and one of Tibbetts’s neighbors lost 20 German shepherds.
    — Anya Kamenetz, Curbed, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The flood then destroyed roads and knocked out power and phone networks, leaving families unable to establish even the most basic facts.
    — Laura Saravia, NBC news, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of destroy
Verb
  • Later demolished, the home sat directly across the street from a far more modern residence by a designer with ties to the Tao restaurant chain and the Venetian Las Vegas.
    — Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 25 Aug. 2026
  • That then will allow the existing Willowcreek Middle School to be demolished.
    — Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of demolish
Verb
  • But if clouds ruin your view — or the moon is below the horizon at the time of the eclipse — there's no need to fret!
    — Anthony Wood, Space.com, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The news of the relationship almost ruined the church, which quickly began hemorrhaging members.
    — CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of ruin
Verb
  • In addition, the original estimate that the Falcon 9 reusable boosters were only good for 10 flights has been shattered by the latest mission using a booster that had flown 37 times.
    — David Szondy August 25, New Atlas, 26 Aug. 2026
  • In 1985, the director Kevin Sullivan produced, with primary funding from the Canadian Broadcasting Company and support from PBS, a record-shattering Anne miniseries.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of shatter
Verb
  • In addition, Moscow continued its efforts to wreck the Ukrainian power grid before the freezing winter months.
    — Hanna Arhirova, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026
  • But in a case of life imitating art, the show’s entire publicity strategy was inadvertently wrecked by a real-life aristocrat, after reports leaked that Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, was being eyed for a role in the series.
    — K.J. Yossman, Variety, 25 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
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tear down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tear%20down. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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