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
Itzel Luna, Los Angeles Times, 2 Mar. 2026
Once the tears start flowing, your nervous system’s relaxation response can start to kick in.
—Carolyn L. Todd, SELF, 2 Mar. 2026
Atget taught photography how to be specific, and how to look without tears.
—Hilton Als, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026
Some were holding photos of Khamenei and appeared to be crying real tears.
—Kim Hjelmgaard, USA Today, 1 Mar. 2026
There were memories — and tears — to be shared.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 28 Feb. 2026
The astounding thing is that the precision or objectivity—the objectivity of his approach—strangely results in a totally subjective fountain of tears.
—Literary Hub, 27 Feb. 2026
Ruptures, tears, and cracks are known to shape zebra fish nostrils, hydra mouths, fruit fly legs, and whole flatworms.
—Clare Watson, Quanta Magazine, 27 Feb. 2026
Such trickery to assign great value to low-worth materials also underpins the surprise ending for The Girl Who Cried Pearls, which follows a poor boy falling in love with a girl overwhelmed by sorrow to the point her tears turn into pearls.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 23 Feb. 2026
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
This is definitely something that tears at your heartstrings.
—Alexandra Simon, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026
The Druze exception proves the rule—when repression crosses Israeli red lines, the paper tiger externally tears.
—Güney Yıldız, Forbes.com, 7 Jan. 2026
These bags keep the items from experiencing friction that tears at the fibers.
—Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 29 Dec. 2025
Not wanting to be shown up, Boq then tears off his own shirt, much to Nessarose's joy.
—Sydney Bucksbaum, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Dec. 2025
Jonathan Groff tears into Broadway’s hit Bobby Darin bio-musical with a volcanic, full-body performance that never lets up.
—Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 18 Dec. 2025
Noun
Ford fought back tears, thanking his fellow actors, writers and directors.
—Itzel Luna, Los Angeles Times, 2 Mar. 2026
Once the tears start flowing, your nervous system’s relaxation response can start to kick in.
—Carolyn L. Todd, SELF, 2 Mar. 2026
Atget taught photography how to be specific, and how to look without tears.
—Hilton Als, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026
Some were holding photos of Khamenei and appeared to be crying real tears.
—Kim Hjelmgaard, USA Today, 1 Mar. 2026
There were memories — and tears — to be shared.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 28 Feb. 2026
The astounding thing is that the precision or objectivity—the objectivity of his approach—strangely results in a totally subjective fountain of tears.
—Literary Hub, 27 Feb. 2026
Ruptures, tears, and cracks are known to shape zebra fish nostrils, hydra mouths, fruit fly legs, and whole flatworms.
—Clare Watson, Quanta Magazine, 27 Feb. 2026
Such trickery to assign great value to low-worth materials also underpins the surprise ending for The Girl Who Cried Pearls, which follows a poor boy falling in love with a girl overwhelmed by sorrow to the point her tears turn into pearls.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 23 Feb. 2026
Verb
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
This is definitely something that tears at your heartstrings.
—Alexandra Simon, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026
The Druze exception proves the rule—when repression crosses Israeli red lines, the paper tiger externally tears.
—Güney Yıldız, Forbes.com, 7 Jan. 2026
These bags keep the items from experiencing friction that tears at the fibers.
—Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 29 Dec. 2025
Not wanting to be shown up, Boq then tears off his own shirt, much to Nessarose's joy.
—Sydney Bucksbaum, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Dec. 2025
Jonathan Groff tears into Broadway’s hit Bobby Darin bio-musical with a volcanic, full-body performance that never lets up.
—Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 18 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tears
Noun
-
Using sharp metal disks that spin, the machine carves slits into the soil and drops the grass seed into those slits.—
David Beaulieu,
The Spruce,
19 Feb. 2026
-
The top has long sleeves, side slits, and a pleated front—a stylish addition that elevates the set from your usual sweatsuit.—
Paige Bennett,
Better Homes & Gardens,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
It’s generally accepted that John rips Carolyn’s engagement ring off her finger in the park, and returns it when sitting on the curb.—
Radhika Seth,
Vogue,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Costarring Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas and Elle Fanning, the film rips open the emotional wounds that are often left by one's parents.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
Judy yanks Mikey’s roller trunk out of the mud and leads him toward one of the nearby hiking trails.—
Michael Nied,
PEOPLE,
26 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
As the national debt rushes toward $39 trillion and Social Security and Medicare get nearer to insolvency with each tick of the clock, pressure mounts on the White House and Congress to craft a more sustainable path forward.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
2 Mar. 2026
-
While the cold air rushes back in, some snow will accompany it.—
Matthew Villafane,
CBS News,
28 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
While sponges and gentle scrubbers are safe for stainless steel, do not use steel wool or abrasive scouring pads, which can leave permanent scratches.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
26 Feb. 2026
-
Make sure to use high-quality silver polish to avoid damaging it and have fine scratches removed, but be sure not to over-polish it.—
Kylie Petty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Enraged, John grabs the ring from Carolyn’s finger.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Billie jumps from the second floor, injuring her foot, but Chee grabs her.—
Jordan Hoffman,
Entertainment Weekly,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Mansfield races past Byron Nelson after slow start Mansfield only scored 5 points in the first quarter, but outscored Trophy Club Byron Nelson by 33 the rest of the way as the Tigers drubbed the Bobcats 61-34 in a Class 6A Division II bi-district game on Tuesday at Thomas Coliseum in Haltom City.—
Darren Lauber,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
25 Feb. 2026
-
Bowe, who races in the women’s 500 meters on Sunday, has Olympic bronze medals in the team pursuit and the 1,000 meters and holds the world record in her signature distance.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
As the race speeds up and riders are jettisoned, the team cars are stuck further behind the bunch.—
Andy McGrath,
New York Times,
28 Feb. 2026
-
Once acquired, the UAV rapidly speeds towards the target, crashing into it.—
Chris Young,
Interesting Engineering,
27 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tears.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tears. Accessed 3 Mar. 2026.
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