1
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of tearing down
Instead of tearing down the brick, crews constructed internal walls to keep the outside brick facade through historical preservation techniques.
—
Dallas Morning News, 11 Feb. 2026
Just over a year ago in Syria, when Bashar al-Assad’s rule ended, demonstrations of joy erupted all over the country and in many cases focused on tearing down images of him and his father.
—Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 8 Feb. 2026
On Thursday morning, fire department trucks were tearing down the affected side of the building, which was entirely blackened and hollowed out from the flames.
—Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 29 Jan. 2026
Four men escaped the facility by tearing down one of the building’s walls.
—Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 19 Jan. 2026
One video showing people tearing down a billboard image of Maduro dates as far back as July 2024.
—Lauren Fichten, CBS News, 5 Jan. 2026
In fact, Williams took great pains to establish that his primary objective is building the Terps (7-7, 0-3 Big Ten), not tearing down a 21-year-old prospect, the Bears or the sport’s governing body.
—Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 3 Jan. 2026
Security video captured the moment a Corvette came down the street, tires screeching, before slamming into the property, tearing down the fence, damaging a boat and smashing through concrete.
—Miami Herald, 30 Dec. 2025
Thune has consistently opposed tearing down the filibuster.
—Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 7 Nov. 2025
Dallas Morning News, 11 Feb. 2026
Just over a year ago in Syria, when Bashar al-Assad’s rule ended, demonstrations of joy erupted all over the country and in many cases focused on tearing down images of him and his father.
—Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 8 Feb. 2026
On Thursday morning, fire department trucks were tearing down the affected side of the building, which was entirely blackened and hollowed out from the flames.
—Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 29 Jan. 2026
Four men escaped the facility by tearing down one of the building’s walls.
—Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 19 Jan. 2026
One video showing people tearing down a billboard image of Maduro dates as far back as July 2024.
—Lauren Fichten, CBS News, 5 Jan. 2026
In fact, Williams took great pains to establish that his primary objective is building the Terps (7-7, 0-3 Big Ten), not tearing down a 21-year-old prospect, the Bears or the sport’s governing body.
—Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 3 Jan. 2026
Security video captured the moment a Corvette came down the street, tires screeching, before slamming into the property, tearing down the fence, damaging a boat and smashing through concrete.
—Miami Herald, 30 Dec. 2025
Thune has consistently opposed tearing down the filibuster.
—Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 7 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tearing down
Verb
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But when the other side is destroying it, there are worse things to be than the alternative.—
Mark Leibovich,
The Atlantic,
11 Feb. 2026
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The European Union is moving forward with its ban on destroying unsold clothing, footwear and accessories.—
Jasmin Malik Chua,
Sourcing Journal,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The village is demolishing homes to make way for the redevelopment and will relocate residents elsewhere on campus, Timberlake said.—
Nathan Pilling,
Kansas City Star,
13 Feb. 2026
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The project calls for demolishing a 1949 single-family home and building a 2,500-square-foot contemporary building to be used as a Jewish ritual pool for women for spiritual purification.—
Lauren Costantino
February 11,
Miami Herald,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Steam cleaning is an effective way to sanitize and refresh your mattress, but the wrong technique can end up ruining the fabric.—
Madeline Buiano,
Martha Stewart,
15 Feb. 2026
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Meanwhile, Bree doesn’t even realize that Evan is already in the process of ruining everything.—
Kathleen Walsh,
Vulture,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Jayden Boyd scored 9 points, but was a fiend on the boards pulling down 13 rebounds.—
Darren Lauber,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
17 Feb. 2026
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The 5-foot-7 Burzycki was good to go Thursday night, pulling down 11 rebounds to go with five points for the Vikings in a 55-42 nonconference win over host Lincoln-Way Central in New Lenox.—
Jeff Vorva,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Bass, politically bruised over her handling of last year’s devastating Palisades fire, now faces an insurgent campaign from one of the City Council’s savviest players.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Feb. 2026
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The front lobby of Unicoi County Hospital was wrecked by devastating flooding during Hurricane Helene in 2024.—
Brett Kelman,
CBS News,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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This happens when heavy rain or snowmelt raises the river level, shattering the existing ice cover.—
Ahmad Bajjey,
CBS News,
14 Feb. 2026
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The first attempt ended in shattering disappointment.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The brand nails high-quality essentials that look luxe without wrecking your travel budget.—
Claire Gallam,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Feb. 2026
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The wrecking contractor did a superb job of clearing the area.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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In August 2024, students stormed her official residence, smashing walls and looting its contents, forcing her to flee into neighboring India and exile.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
10 Feb. 2026
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Football in particular was hard to understand, with plays that last only seconds and the jarring violence of giant men smashing into each other.—
Erendira Rendon,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tearing down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tearing%20down. Accessed 18 Feb. 2026.
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