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
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
Chris Willman, Variety, 23 Mar. 2026
According to an account on Jorginho's Instagram story on Saturday, March 21, his 11-year-old daughter was reduced to tears after an unpleasant run-in with Roan's security guard.
—Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 23 Mar. 2026
Quality stability balls use thick, durable materials that are less likely to sustain damage from tears or punctures.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 23 Mar. 2026
Center Alex Condon lifted his jersey up over his face to cover his tears.
—Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 Mar. 2026
Some tears came from players beside him at the interview table.
—Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 22 Mar. 2026
Shari Bailey said she was brought to tears this week when a lawmaker texted her with the news that the House had passed a bill, inspired by her daughter, that aims to improve outcomes for people with autism or dementia who wander off.
—Danielle J. Brown, Baltimore Sun, 22 Mar. 2026
There were tears and hugs outside the Maxwell family home in Westbury after the identification was made.
—Mark Prussin, CBS News, 16 Mar. 2026
My mother disavowed her first tears.
—Han Ong, New Yorker, 15 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
Shock and confusion followed by tears and laughs.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 23 Mar. 2026
According to an account on Jorginho's Instagram story on Saturday, March 21, his 11-year-old daughter was reduced to tears after an unpleasant run-in with Roan's security guard.
—Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 23 Mar. 2026
Quality stability balls use thick, durable materials that are less likely to sustain damage from tears or punctures.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 23 Mar. 2026
Center Alex Condon lifted his jersey up over his face to cover his tears.
—Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 Mar. 2026
Some tears came from players beside him at the interview table.
—Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 22 Mar. 2026
Shari Bailey said she was brought to tears this week when a lawmaker texted her with the news that the House had passed a bill, inspired by her daughter, that aims to improve outcomes for people with autism or dementia who wander off.
—Danielle J. Brown, Baltimore Sun, 22 Mar. 2026
There were tears and hugs outside the Maxwell family home in Westbury after the identification was made.
—Mark Prussin, CBS News, 16 Mar. 2026
My mother disavowed her first tears.
—Han Ong, New Yorker, 15 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
-
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
-
The Neo chassis also features side-firing speakers instead of speakers beneath the keyboard, venting out slits on the left and right side that resemble SD-card slots.—
Joe Osborne,
PC Magazine,
10 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
-
That dreamlike state sets in after the crash, from the moment that roadside woman, whose name turns out to be Betty (Barbara Auer), rushes up to help.—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
23 Mar. 2026
-
The woman, whose name is Betty, rushes to the scene.—
Robert Abele,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Henri Jokiharju, inserted back into the lineup after seven straight healthy scratches, delivered a right-point shot that produced a big rebound off Markstrom.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
17 Mar. 2026
-
The princess presented each of them with sprigs of shamrock and gave Séamus a few friendly scratches on the head.—
Yi-Jin Yu,
ABC News,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
There are some broadly entertaining yet scattershot series of betrayals, shootouts, car chases (and subsequent crashes), though little that actually raises the pulse or grabs your emotions.—
Chase Hutchinson,
IndieWire,
19 Mar. 2026
-
San Francisco's new manager grabs a piece of gum from a dugout basket then heads out onto the grass at Scottsdale Stadium and gets to work.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
As Europe races toward energy independence, this facility could become a primary feeder for a pipeline network meant to power the continent’s heavy industry.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Mar. 2026
-
That prompted the team to tab Myatt Snider, who races part-time in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series.—
Jeff Gluck,
New York Times,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Video shows pedestrians jumping for cover as the driver speeds by, causing sparks to fly.—
Adi Guajardo,
CBS News,
21 Mar. 2026
-
As the footage continues, the pair falls out of sight behind the white sedan for about a minute before the sedan suddenly speeds away, revealing one man splayed across the ground as the gunman appears to straddle him.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
18 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tears.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tears. Accessed 26 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
