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
Albert Samaha, New Yorker, 31 Mar. 2026
Neither said a word as tears fell down their faces.
—Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 31 Mar. 2026
What the Comments Say The original Facebook post about Winnie left viewers hopeful for a happy ending, calling her beautiful and sweet, especially loving her brindle coloring, while her adoption update brought tears to people's eyes.
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
After knocking in his final putt at hole 18, Woodland stretched out his arms, looked up to the sky and exhaled with tears in his eyes.
—Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 30 Mar. 2026
After knocking in his final putt at the 18th hole, Woodland stretched out his arms, looked up to the sky and exhaled with tears in his eyes.
—Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Mar. 2026
Far-right lawmaker Limor Son Har-Melech, one of the bill’s original sponsors, wiped tears from her eyes.
—Julia Frankel, Los Angeles Times, 30 Mar. 2026
First of all, human dignity is like the one thing in my life that can really move me to tears because there’s a real kindness there.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 30 Mar. 2026
Shock and confusion followed by tears and laughs.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 23 Mar. 2026
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
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
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
Noun
Some players collapsed onto the turf in joyful tears.
—Albert Samaha, New Yorker, 31 Mar. 2026
Neither said a word as tears fell down their faces.
—Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 31 Mar. 2026
What the Comments Say The original Facebook post about Winnie left viewers hopeful for a happy ending, calling her beautiful and sweet, especially loving her brindle coloring, while her adoption update brought tears to people's eyes.
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
After knocking in his final putt at hole 18, Woodland stretched out his arms, looked up to the sky and exhaled with tears in his eyes.
—Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 30 Mar. 2026
After knocking in his final putt at the 18th hole, Woodland stretched out his arms, looked up to the sky and exhaled with tears in his eyes.
—Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Mar. 2026
Far-right lawmaker Limor Son Har-Melech, one of the bill’s original sponsors, wiped tears from her eyes.
—Julia Frankel, Los Angeles Times, 30 Mar. 2026
First of all, human dignity is like the one thing in my life that can really move me to tears because there’s a real kindness there.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 30 Mar. 2026
Shock and confusion followed by tears and laughs.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 23 Mar. 2026
Verb
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
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tears
Noun
-
The dial consists of two metal plates that boast ripple-like slits layered over a structural color film.—
David Szondy
March 28,
New Atlas,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Raquel Welch brought her signature va-va-voom and fashion-forward style to the Oscars, with low necklines, high slits, and daring silhouettes, during a time when the ceremony dress code was much more (literally) buttoned-up.—
Kevin Huynh,
InStyle,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Spanning 180 acres between four of the city’s most dynamic neighborhoods, Sunnyside Yard is a steel and asphalt scar that rips across Western Queens — serving those passing through, not those that call this borough home.—
Ben Guttmann,
New York Daily News,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Above this playful mess of a beat, which includes a music box-like instrument that sounds partially broken, Shabaka rips out brief and noisy phrases on tenor sax.—
Mark Richardson,
Pitchfork,
12 Mar. 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
-
Another friend rushes to join the hug.—
Mica Rosenberg,
ProPublica,
24 Mar. 2026
-
And out rushes a blazingly cathartic torrent of honesty and horror.—
Sibani Ram,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
This luggage expands to allow for greater packing space, and its custom design hides potential scratches and scuffs.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Forward Philipp Kurashev and defenseman Nick Leddy are expected to be healthy scratches, and center Ty Dellandrea is on the trip but remains out with a lower-body injury.—
Curtis Pashelka,
Mercury News,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Chibale grabs a chemistry book off the shelf in his office and riffles through a parade of molecules — each one like an old friend.—
Ari Daniel,
NPR,
22 Mar. 2026
-
Afterward the man with the shotgun points it inside the truck’s cabin and the passenger grabs its barrel, the video shows.—
Dennis Romero,
NBC news,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
Amazon plans to double its launch frequency and cram more satellites into each rocket as the company races to catch up with SpaceX’s Starlink.—
Michael Kan,
PC Magazine,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
However, the strikes usually come when the bait slows down or speeds up momentarily.—
Bryan Hendricks,
Arkansas Online,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Guests pile into an elevator on Goat Island that speeds down to the base of the falls and deposits them by the Hurricane Deck and adjoining catwalk.—
Jamie Spain,
Condé Nast Traveler,
29 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tears.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tears. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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