TEARS Synonyms: 157 Similar and Opposite Words

tears 1 of 2

noun

Definition of tears next

plural of tear

as in slits

a long deep cut repaired a tear in the theater curtain just before the start of the show

Synonyms & Similar Words

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tears

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of tear

as in rips

to cause (something) to separate into jagged pieces by violently pulling at it angrily tore the letter to shreds

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in yanks

to separate or remove by forceful pulling tore the book from his hand

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

reattaches

as in rushes

to proceed or move quickly she tore out of the room as soon as the phone started to ring

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 tears

Noun

The experience of finally achieving her dream of attending Howard and graduating with her son has moved Carla to tears. —

David Chiu, PEOPLE, 11 May 2026 Their ability to command a room is still evident decades later, as the cast sits onstage listening, and much of the audience is in tears by the end of the number. —

Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 11 May 2026 Steve left the room and broke down in tears once again. —

Geoffrey Cain, Vanity Fair, 11 May 2026 Rogen accepted the award on her behalf and delivered a speech that brought much of the audience to tears. —

Alex Ritman, Variety, 10 May 2026 Visits would culminate in tears and maudlin mutual reassurances. —

Nicholas Dawidoff, New Yorker, 10 May 2026 Their legs trembled beneath them, their hands and heads shook with anxiety, and at times Snow, in tears, curled into the arms of friends and loved ones. —

Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 10 May 2026 As the memories come flooding back, so do the tears. —

Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2026 Boston sports fans are dusting themselves off and wiping away their tears after playoff-ending games by both the Bruins and the Celtics over the weekend, and an extremely rocky start for the Red Sox. —

Paul Burton, CBS News, 4 May 2026

Verb

Drink, drugs and sometimes tears. —

Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026 Inheritance often tears families apart and much of that conflict is rooted in poor communication. —

R. Eric Thomas, Mercury News, 24 Apr. 2026 Jeffries tears into DeSantis as 'charismatically challenged' over redistricting gambit. —

FOXNews.com, 24 Apr. 2026 The company regularly buys brand-new devices and tears them to pieces. —

Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026 As the GIs raise their guns, a pudgy hand in the backseat tears a strip of white cloth from his companion’s petticoat for the chauffeur to hang out the window. —

Alice Kaplan, The New York Review of Books, 4 Apr. 2026 If the oyster tears slightly, don’t panic; flavor matters much more than perfection. —

Rai Mincey, Southern Living, 10 Mar. 2026 His scientist creator, Victor Frankenstein, reluctantly agrees, but at the last moment tears the unfinished mate limb from limb as the creature watches on in horror. —

Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 6 Mar. 2026 Under her watch, Americans have been murdered in cold blood, DHS has obstructed lawful congressional oversight, dismissed credible reports of abuse, carried out an extreme agenda that tears families apart and destabilizes communities. —

The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 5 Feb. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for tears

Noun

The only telltale signs of the electronics hidden in the temples are a single power button, a four-contact connector, pinhole microphones, and thin speaker grille slits.

— Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 29 Apr. 2026
Plus, the side slits keep the shirt relaxed without looking too boxy on smaller frames.

— Aashna Gheewalla, PEOPLE, 27 Apr. 2026