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
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Recent Examples of tear down
Workers were tearing down the court at the near-empty United Center late Sunday afternoon after Michigan’s win over Tennessee when a roar erupted from the nearby media workroom.
—
Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2026
On Monday, cranes and demolition excavators tore down the exhibition hall closest to the Omni Hotel, dismembering parts of the building that will eventually unlock 20 to 30 acres for redevelopment and a new events facility.
—Devyani Chhetri, Dallas Morning News, 30 Mar. 2026
As part of the renovation, the library is torn down.
—Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 27 Mar. 2026
The old fieldhouse built in the early 1950s was torn down and replaced.
—Jenna Ebbers, Kansas City Star, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tear down
Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2026
On Monday, cranes and demolition excavators tore down the exhibition hall closest to the Omni Hotel, dismembering parts of the building that will eventually unlock 20 to 30 acres for redevelopment and a new events facility.
—Devyani Chhetri, Dallas Morning News, 30 Mar. 2026
As part of the renovation, the library is torn down.
—Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 27 Mar. 2026
The old fieldhouse built in the early 1950s was torn down and replaced.
—Jenna Ebbers, Kansas City Star, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tear down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tear down
Verb
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Later, a fire at Hall’s grandmother’s house would destroy most of his magic act.—
Vinson Cunningham,
New Yorker,
29 Mar. 2026
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This time around, in that first wave of strikes on February 28, American cruise missiles targeted and destroyed a building that ended up being a girls’ school—killing more than 168 young children who had just started their day of classes.—
Connor Okeeffe,
Oc Register,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The beach patrol headquarters is in danger of collapsing and will be demolished this weekend.—
Ryan Hughes,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
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The library, which blocked a view of the water for 30 years, was demolished, moved several blocks west as part of a new cultural center.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.—
Don Sweeney,
Sacbee.com,
29 Mar. 2026
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Accused of ruining baseball with their big-spending ways the past two years, the noise has only gotten louder as a labor showdown looms.—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
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But customers should not expect earth-shattering menu changes.—
Michael Deeds,
Idaho Statesman,
2 Apr. 2026
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World Cup That dream come true feeling Some dreams were shattered last night, other dreams were made.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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One such attack on March 27 wrecked an AWACS at Prince Sultan Air Base in eastern Saudi Arabia.—
Sig Christenson,
San Antonio Express-News,
1 Apr. 2026
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The war goes on, and Iran has shown its ability to hit American targets in the region, as well as to wreck the global economy.—
Steve Chapman,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The mother of a 7-month-old girl killed by a stray bullet while sitting in her stroller in Brooklyn is devastated by Wednesday's horrific tragedy.—
Alexa Herrera,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
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On May 18, 1980, the north slope of Mount Saint Helens, a volcanic peak in the Cascades Range, was blasted away in an eruption that killed 57 people and devastated an area of approximately 200 square miles.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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One of the men is seen on surveillance video smashing the front door with a metal object and connecting the ATM to the vehicle using a metal cable.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 Mar. 2026
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Particle accelerators like the LHC typically work by firing beams of particles at nearly the speed of light and smashing them together.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Bane overcame a slow start by making six of his first seven attempts at the free-throw line to reach 10 points after two quarters.—
Jason Beede,
The Orlando Sentinel,
1 Apr. 2026
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The Leafs overcame a 3-1 deficit with three goals in the third period, including Rielly's snap shot from the high slot that beat Anaheim goalie Ville Husso stick-side to give Toronto a 4-3 lead with three minutes left in regulation.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tear down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tear%20down. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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