TEARDOWN Synonyms: 170 Similar and Opposite Words

tear down

verb

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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 the flyers were torn down and some were placed in a urinal, officials said. —

Tony Aiello, CBS News, 20 Apr. 2026 Now the venue is to be torn down later this year, the end to a destination just off the highway that was once full of televisions, betting counters and tables, and thick with the scent of afternoon and evening cocktails. —

Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 19 Apr. 2026 Human Rights Watch said authorities have taken sweeping steps to curb religious practice, including tearing down churches and crosses, blocking gatherings at unregistered churches and seizing religious materials not approved by the state. —

Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 17 Apr. 2026 This is a sharp contrast to the four buildings LACMA tore down, including its original Ahmanson Building, from 1968, and the Art of the Americas Building, opened in 1986. —

Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 17 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for tear down

Recent Examples of Synonyms for tear down

Verb

Similarly, corruption or physical damage might destroy a file’s header, which contains its identifying metadata, while leaving other parts of it untouched.

— Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
The Jeep crashed into a concrete barrier after clipping the other car, destroying part of the barrier, Adams County Fire Rescue officials said.

— Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 20 Apr. 2026