TEARS Synonyms: 157 Similar and Opposite Words

tears 1 of 2

noun

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

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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

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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 tears

Noun

Less oil, and lower-quality oil, means tears evaporate too quickly. — Samantha Agate, Sacbee.com, 21 Oct. 2026 The result is less oil, lower-quality oil and tears that evaporate too quickly. — Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 21 Oct. 2026 Prepare to get a first glimpse of the dedication, the sweat, the pain, the tears – and much more. — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 19 Oct. 2026 As Jose spoke, Courtney sat next to her mother, listening intently as tears slowly rolled down her face. — Gregory Royal Pratt, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026 In one image, Fox held a handful of cash against her face as though wiping away tears with the money. — Danielle Minnetian, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026 There was a moment this week when tears of sadness gave way to elation for one California couple. — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026 When Warmann asked what accounted for the film’s enduring power, Ali paused, overcome with emotion and wiping away tears. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 17 Oct. 2026 One of us would be chosen to recite the poem onstage—a kitsch performance, no doubt, so that an auditorium of adults would be moved to tears. — Yiyun Li, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2026

Verb

But as measles tears through many of their hometowns in central Pennsylvania, the national conversation has become paradoxically politically charged. — Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 7 Oct. 2026 Following her father’s unexpected death, Carrie enters the public high school ecosystem and is forced to navigate a viral bullying scandal that tears through her community. — Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 10 Sep. 2026 In a sense, the proof shows that a world in which love never returns is a world whose geometry tears itself apart—assuming, of course, the proof holds up. — Sam MacDonald, Scientific American, 14 Aug. 2026 Instead of wiping firmware, an adversary nudges a setpoint, edits a protection parameter, distorts a sensor feed—or shows the operator a calm screen while the equipment tears itself apart. — Julian Durand, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026 When a testicle ruptures, the tough outer covering, called the tunica albuginea, actually tears open after an extremely forceful blow. — Angela Haupt, Time, 22 July 2026 Carter further complicates things in last week’s episode, when he drunkly tears an animal mount off the wall during Oreana’s grandmother’s big party at the 10-Petal Ranch. — Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 June 2026 As an example of how his platform would work, Wehmeyer pointed to processing insurance claims after a tornado tears through a house in Minnesota. — Camila Grigera Naón, Fortune, 24 June 2026 When a battery dies, the industry routinely tears it apart to access the parts that matter. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 10 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for tears

Noun

For the Paris premiere of The Odyssey on July 8, Zendaya wore the same lace jacket over a sheer skirt with dramatic slits on the sides.

— Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 6 Oct. 2026
Plus, the side slits are practically made for showing off a pair of tall boots this fall.

— Brittany VanDerBill, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of slits

Verb

Defensive coordinator Corey Batoon dialed up more blitzes and two-high safety coverages in the second half, switching from a first-half strategy that was full of single-high and some three-man rushes.

— PJ Green, Kansas City Star, 17 Oct. 2026
Offensive player of the week Senior quarterback Ethan Gialo rushes for 207 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries during Lakes’ 31-14 Northern Lake County Conference win over Round Lake.

— Steve Reaven, Chicago Tribune, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of rushes

Verb

Nope, the Crimson Tide would most likely be on the outside looking in, while someone else from the SEC grabs their spot in the postseason.

— Trey Wallace OutKick, FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 2026
The suspect runs inside, grabs rolls of lottery tickets, stuffs them into a bag and runs out.

— Tara Lynch, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of grabs

Verb

The high pressure air in the Great Basin races downhill to the coast.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
These days, the market is awash in retailers and consumer plays that are leaking market cap as every investment dollar races out into the AI trade.

— Josh Brown,Sean Russo, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of races

Verb

For health care CFOs, the challenge is distinguishing between an AI tool that speeds up billing and one that helps patients get the right care in the right setting—potentially changing the economics of care itself.

— Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2026
This speeds customs and ensures a smoother cross-border delivery experience.

— Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 12 Oct. 2026