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
And the more people see fences coming down, the more people tear down their own.
—
Big Think, 1 May 2026
Among Republicans, 65% support tearing down the East Wing of the White House to make room for a ballroom.
—Emily Guskin, ABC News, 30 Apr. 2026
The Leaning Tower replica itself was not torn down.
—Adam Harrington, CBS News, 29 Apr. 2026
Welton told the outlet the remaining bit of the bridge will have to be torn down and barricades were put in place to prevent drivers from entering.
—Paloma Chavez, PEOPLE, 28 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tear down
Big Think, 1 May 2026
Among Republicans, 65% support tearing down the East Wing of the White House to make room for a ballroom.
—Emily Guskin, ABC News, 30 Apr. 2026
The Leaning Tower replica itself was not torn down.
—Adam Harrington, CBS News, 29 Apr. 2026
Welton told the outlet the remaining bit of the bridge will have to be torn down and barricades were put in place to prevent drivers from entering.
—Paloma Chavez, PEOPLE, 28 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tear down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tear down
Verb
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The Trinity fire, which started May 1 in Phelan, burned 19 acres with no structures damaged, though the blaze destroyed an unknown number of Joshua trees.—
Blanca Begert,
Los Angeles Times,
3 May 2026
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But Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Ukrainian forces destroyed several military and other targets, while also inflicting significant damage on oil port infrastructure.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
3 May 2026
Verb
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The house was set to be demolished after Sprague died, but instead it was purchased and partially restored by Roger and Mary Mildred DeWitt in the 1960s.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
8 May 2026
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Many family members are opposed to demolishing and/or selling the property.—
Mark Dent,
HubSpot,
8 May 2026
Verb
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Scrubbing can ruin the finish on fabric, especially upholstery.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
3 May 2026
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Safeguarding the location of the Bezos’ party could save the man Forbes calls the world’s fourth-richest person from having protesters ruin his evening.—
Brian Niemietz,
New York Daily News,
2 May 2026
Verb
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LaPorta set the rookie tight end record for receptions in 2023 with 86 (the Las Vegas Raiders’ Brock Bowers shattered it a year later with 112).—
Daniel Popper,
New York Times,
6 May 2026
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If the record pace continues, TDT will raise well over $400 million in the current fiscal year, shattering last year’s mark.—
Stephen Hudak,
The Orlando Sentinel,
6 May 2026
Verb
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Police found Berry’s vehicle, along with personal items inside, wrecked in the driveway – but Berry was not at the home, the warrant says.—
Emma Tucker,
CNN Money,
6 May 2026
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The Bills will head into the season without a true, identifiable game-wrecking defensive player on the roster.—
Joe Buscaglia,
New York Times,
4 May 2026
Verb
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The deadly fires that devastated homes in Pacific Palisades and Altadena also laid waste to a lush canopy of leaves and pine needles that had cooled and shaded residents here for generations.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
7 May 2026
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Such local weather events have devastated rural communities in recent years.—
Lauren Sommer,
NPR,
7 May 2026
Verb
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High-rise timber construction continues to grow in popularity worldwide, with Australia's incredible Atlassian Central wooden skyscraper due to smash all records once completed.—
Adam Williams
May 09,
New Atlas,
9 May 2026
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By that evening, TV news stations broadcasted images of the bus smashed into the ground, leaving little room to imagine how those trapped inside could have possibly escaped.—
Jake Goodrick,
Sacbee.com,
9 May 2026
Verb
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How Disney’s founder, namesake, and first CEO overcame the crisis of his day may give D’Amaro a blueprint for his.—
Roland Betancourt,
Fortune,
28 Apr. 2026
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But even more inspiring was their determination to overcome enormous losses and difficulties to try to make new lives for themselves.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tear down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tear%20down. Accessed 10 May. 2026.
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