1
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
2
as in yanks
to separate or remove by forceful pulling
tore the book from his hand
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
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
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Recent Examples of tears
Elizabeth Howell, Space.com, 13 Apr. 2026
Argentina should not waste its tears crying for Rachel Zegler.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 13 Apr. 2026
My eldest niece looked to be on the verge of tears.
—Douglas Stuart, New Yorker, 12 Apr. 2026
There is champagne, hugs and tears.
—Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 12 Apr. 2026
This includes Tallent, who looked in the mirror and smiled with tears in her eyes, expressing her gratitude.
—Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 11 Apr. 2026
Hamstring tears that require surgery typically can sideline baseball players three to six months.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 10 Apr. 2026
As immigration officers arrested her six weeks ago, through tears and a rushed goodbye, Maria de Jesus Estrada Juarez had a request for her daughter.
—Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 6 Apr. 2026
Wiseman and Koch could be seen wiping away tears.
—Evan Bush, NBC news, 6 Apr. 2026
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
Catherine uplifted us in a world that often tears us down.
—Andrew Gelwicks, Vogue, 3 Feb. 2026
Wielding his powers, Simon tears the cell bars away.
—Jp Mangalindan, Time, 27 Jan. 2026
But this time there were no Luka Doncic tears.
—Brad Townsend, Dallas Morning News, 25 Jan. 2026
This is definitely something that tears at your heartstrings.
—Alexandra Simon, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026
Noun
Following the announcement, the four crew members shared one of their many group hugs on camera, before separating and visibly wiping tears.
—Elizabeth Howell, Space.com, 13 Apr. 2026
Argentina should not waste its tears crying for Rachel Zegler.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 13 Apr. 2026
My eldest niece looked to be on the verge of tears.
—Douglas Stuart, New Yorker, 12 Apr. 2026
There is champagne, hugs and tears.
—Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 12 Apr. 2026
This includes Tallent, who looked in the mirror and smiled with tears in her eyes, expressing her gratitude.
—Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 11 Apr. 2026
Hamstring tears that require surgery typically can sideline baseball players three to six months.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 10 Apr. 2026
As immigration officers arrested her six weeks ago, through tears and a rushed goodbye, Maria de Jesus Estrada Juarez had a request for her daughter.
—Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 6 Apr. 2026
Wiseman and Koch could be seen wiping away tears.
—Evan Bush, NBC news, 6 Apr. 2026
Verb
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
Catherine uplifted us in a world that often tears us down.
—Andrew Gelwicks, Vogue, 3 Feb. 2026
Wielding his powers, Simon tears the cell bars away.
—Jp Mangalindan, Time, 27 Jan. 2026
But this time there were no Luka Doncic tears.
—Brad Townsend, Dallas Morning News, 25 Jan. 2026
This is definitely something that tears at your heartstrings.
—Alexandra Simon, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tears
Noun
-
Its large leaves develop holes and slits that have earned it the name Swiss cheese plant.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
7 Apr. 2026
-
The comfy frock is midi-length, features subtle side slits, and is made from a lightweight, stretchy material.—
Isabel Bekele,
InStyle,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Of course, Wallace already rips the ball away from dribblers more than anyone else.—
Fred Katz,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Continue reading … ROBES RIVALRY — Liberal justice Elena Kagan rips colleague Jackson's dissent in rare public break.—
,
FOXNews.com,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Leaphorn yanks the jug his way (despite being cuffed) and is able to put the filter packet down his pants.—
Jordan Hoffman,
Entertainment Weekly,
6 Apr. 2026
-
According to the footage, Falcinelli then moves toward the officer before the officer yanks him by the arm.—
Devoun Cetoute,
Miami Herald,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The Devils had two breakaways, along with a two-on-one, a three-on-one and a handful of other odd-man rushes.—
Josh Yohe,
New York Times,
10 Apr. 2026
-
The penultimate episode rushes through its climax, but even that brief disappointment, in hindsight, feels like a choice meant to foreground what really matters.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
EaTi One comes in a reusable pouch made of sturdy plastic, protecting your gear from scratches and cuts.—
Maryna Holovnova,
New Atlas,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Mukhamadullin has dressed for 17 of the Sharks’ last 18 games, and Klingberg has not played since March 24, missing the last six games through a mix of healthy scratches and an injury.—
Curtis Pashelka,
Mercury News,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
This hearty dish grabs extra flavor from browning the pork chops very well in the skillet in order to produce a flavorful pan sauce with mustard and cream.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Think about how many times a day everyone in your household touches a light switch or grabs the remote.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Kansas City Star,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
When Robby races into the room, our drunk country clubber is being restrained, and his nose is bleeding.—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Theron races through the forest and rafts through the rapids while Egerton follows her into caves and down the side of a cliff.—
Arushi Jacob,
Variety,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In Michigan City along the lakefront, a new second track speeds up travel time to Chicago, and plans call for a $300 million luxury hotel and townhouse development to transform the city into a commuter and tourist destination.—
Robert McCoppin,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Apr. 2026
-
While some commenters on @schube93’s video pointed out that Costco's competitor, Sam’s Club, already offers a scan-and-go feature in its smartphone app that speeds up the checkout process, others applauded the move.—
Joseph Erbentraut,
Better Homes & Gardens,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tears.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tears. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026.
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