Synonyms of tear down

tear down

verb

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

• destroy
• ruin
• demolish
• shatter
• wreck
• devastate
• overcome
• pull down
• smash
• damage
• waste
• rub out
• desolate
• cream
• total
• extinguish
• vaporize
• annihilate
• mar
• erode
• pulverize
• decimate
• do in
• ravage
• raze
• win (against)
• defeat
• triumph (over)
• cripple
• prevail (over)
• kill
• break
• best
• crush
• nuke
• blast
• sweep (away)
• wear (away)
• remove
• cut down
• wrack
• dismantle
• take down
• blow up
• wash out
• subdue
• wipe out
• injure
• lick
• master
• harm
• spoil
• deteriorate
• trim
• impair
• conquer
• disintegrate
• scotch
• surmount
• blot out
• rout
• dissolve
• whip
• kill off
• stamp (out)
• dynamite
• thrash
• mow (down)
• mutilate
• eradicate
• beat
• sack
• slaughter
• disfigure
• snuff (out)
• vitiate
• havoc
• mangle
• overmatch
• scour
• take out
• undo
• fell
• root (out)
• assassinate
• gut
• clobber
• overbear
• disassemble
• deface
• obliterate
• massacre
• plunder
• exterminate
• murder
• loot
• trounce
• expunge
• unmake
• liquidate
• skunk
• drub
• slay
• extirpate
• execute
• wallop
• efface
• trample
• butcher
• trash
• dilapidate
• dispatch
• despoil
• pillage
• zap
• unbuild
• vandalize

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• set up
• build
• put up
• construct
• raise
• patch
• repair
• erect
• create
• rear
• fix
• bring about
• produce
• form
• make
• found
• shape
• mend
• manufacture
• invent
• establish
• assemble
• fashion
• protect
• forge
• organize
• mold
• frame
• constitute
• save
• preserve
• revamp
• fabricate
• institute
• doctor
• recondition
• conserve
• restore
• rebuild
• reconstruct
• father
• remodel
• renovate

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

• demolish
• pull down
• raze
• level
• wipe out
• unbuild
• destroy
• blow up
• dynamite
• overturn
• eradicate
• finish
• ruin
• waste
• wreck
• obliterate
• abolish
• total
• crack up
• ravage
• decimate
• smash
• flatten
• extirpate
• annihilate
• pulverize
• dissolve
• unmake
• scourge
• devour
• devastate
• do in
• crush
• dash

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• build
• put up
• construct
• raise
• erect
• restore
• rebuild
• renew
• form
• create
• make
• shape
• manufacture
• renovate
• fashion
• forge
• fabricate

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of tear down

Thousands of fans in a crowd of 48,238 stormed the field and tore down both goalposts to celebrate the end of a four-game KU losing streak. — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 11 Sep. 2026

Designed by Robin Standefer and Stephen Alesch, founders of AD100 firm Roman and Williams, the original Owens house was constructed from scratch on San Juan Island in Washington and torn down immediately after filming. — Livia Caligor, Architectural Digest, 10 Sep. 2026

The crew at the scene tore down a bridge between that building and the one on fire in order to save it. — Darcie Moran, Freep.com, 10 Sep. 2026

The relentless waves destroyed decks, tore down walls and appeared to flood several of the homes on Beach Road, part of the Capistrano Bay Community Services District. — Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2026