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
Instead of tearing down the historic mill, it was turned into a $6-million mixed-use development with apartments and office space.
—
Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 16 June 2025
Orlando Sentinel Longtime debate over Rodman Dam resurfaces A decades-old fight about possibly tearing down North Florida’s Rodman Dam and restoring the Ocklawaha River is flaring again.
—Garfield Hylton, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 June 2025
The bill also allows people to sue local governments for damages caused during a riot or unlawful assembly, creates new crimes that include mob intimidation and inciting a riot and can land a person in prison for up to 15 years for tearing down a memorial dedicated to a historical figure.
—Charles Rabin, Miami Herald, 13 June 2025
Now that those tours have ended, the city plans to tear down the building.
—Skyler Swisher, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for tear down
Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 16 June 2025
Orlando Sentinel Longtime debate over Rodman Dam resurfaces A decades-old fight about possibly tearing down North Florida’s Rodman Dam and restoring the Ocklawaha River is flaring again.
—Garfield Hylton, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 June 2025
The bill also allows people to sue local governments for damages caused during a riot or unlawful assembly, creates new crimes that include mob intimidation and inciting a riot and can land a person in prison for up to 15 years for tearing down a memorial dedicated to a historical figure.
—Charles Rabin, Miami Herald, 13 June 2025
Now that those tours have ended, the city plans to tear down the building.
—Skyler Swisher, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for tear down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tear down
Verb
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In September 2024, the same month as the pager attack and assassination of Hezbollah’s leader, Israel launched the most extensive campaign of airstrikes in the air force’s history hitherto, destroying much of Hezbollah’s strategic surface-to-surface missile stockpiles.—
Paul Iddon,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
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As rumors swirl and her life collapses, Eva faces a choice: protect herself or expose Amir’s secret and risk destroying him.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
30 June 2025
Verb
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Hegseth touted Caine's explanation as proof the bombs fully demolished Fordow.—
Cybele Mayes-Osterman,
USA Today,
27 June 2025
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The more than 115-year-old Advocate Trinity building on the Southeast Side of Chicago, on 93rd Street, will continue to serve patients until the new hospital is ready, at which point it will be demolished.—
Lisa Schencker,
Chicago Tribune,
24 June 2025
Verb
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And just like that, Donald Trump ruined something else.—
James Hibberd,
HollywoodReporter,
26 June 2025
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However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.—
Daniella Segura,
Sacbee.com,
26 June 2025
Verb
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On April 9, 2003, U.S. forces pulled down a statue of Hussein in Baghdad's Firdos Square, symbolizing the end of his reign.—
Melina Khan,
USA Today,
24 June 2025
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But then, flying toward the conclusion of Act I, Matthew finds that he, too, is being pulled down by unrehearsed emotion.—
Han Ong,
New Yorker,
22 June 2025
Verb
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In the meantime, Aimee Gutierrez, Saint’s owner, and her family have been shattered by the loss and the deaths of the other dogs.—
Sean Emery,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 June 2025
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His ability to love completely hasn’t been shattered, however.—
TJ Macias,
Miami Herald,
25 June 2025
Verb
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The facility had been subject to sabotage and subterfuge by Israel for many years even before these attacks–including a computer virus that wrecked the centrifuges over a decade ago.—
Geoff Brumfiel,
NPR,
26 June 2025
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All three spent Wednesday warning that Mamdani would wreck New York.—
David Weigel,
semafor.com,
25 June 2025
Verb
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People were aware of the risk of fires following the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and a 1923 magnitude 8 earthquake and firestorm that devastated Tokyo and Yokohama, causing an astonishing 142,800 deaths, according to the USGS.—
Rong-Gong Lin II,
Los Angeles Times,
29 June 2025
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He’s been through adversity and grown stronger James’ drive to give back began during his freshman year at Tulane, when Hurricane Ida devastated New Orleans.—
Shane Connuck
June 26,
Charlotte Observer,
27 June 2025
Verb
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On June 21, Mitchell, South Dakota, broke its daily high temperatures record at 104 degrees, smashing its previous record of 101 degrees.—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
24 June 2025
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Numerous other boats were damaged that day as the powerful thunderstorm churned up waves and sent boats smashing into each other and the marina, according to KCRA-TV.—
Theresa Braine,
New York Daily News,
23 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tear down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tear%20down. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.
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