TEARING DOWN Synonyms: 172 Similar and Opposite Words

tearing down

verb

present participle of tear down

as in destroying

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in demolishing

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

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 tearing down Elijah Chatman’s corresponding release made clear that this is Harbaugh tearing down the Giants’ defensive tackle position nearly to the studs. —

Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 8 May 2026 Notably, the same kids host a show dedicated to tearing down everything their parents stand for. —

Matt Grobar, Deadline, 7 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 To mitigate this, staff proposed a adding a demolition-control ordinance to the amendment to keep people from simply tearing down houses. —

Nollyanne Delacruz, Mercury News, 23 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 The demolition of a century of history in McKeesport began on Monday, as crews started tearing down the site of the old Penn-McKee Hotel. —

Chilekasi Adele, CBS News, 13 Apr. 2026 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 The developers also are tearing down the former Bank of America office building and parking garage to clear space for additional apartments. —

Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 11 Mar. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for tearing down

Verb

In the team's binary merger model, the compact object is close enough to its stellar companion to rip off its outer hydrogen layer without completely destroying the star.

— Robert Lea, Space.com, 8 May 2026
The fires hit close to home, destroying both Pratt’s Pacific Palisades residence and his parents’ home.

— Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 8 May 2026