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
Rachel McRady, PEOPLE, 6 Nov. 2025
Her husband and three daughters, standing behind her, wiped tears from their cheeks.
—Sydney Lake, Fortune, 5 Nov. 2025
Others have complained of breaks, tears, contusions, and concussions.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Nov. 2025
Butler, who appeared to be holding back tears, listened quietly as officers explained the purpose of their visit.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 4 Nov. 2025
The official trailer is nearly three minutes long and is stuffed with bombastic special effects, intense emotion (a lot of tears), plenty of action and one mean Vecna.
—James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 30 Oct. 2025
On Wednesday, Zwerner wiped away tears as her twin sister reflected Wednesday on thechanges she’s seen in Zwerner since the first-grade teacher was shot by her 6-year-old student more than two years ago.
—Cindy Von Quednow, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2025
Princess Williams, with tears in her eyes, sat in the back row with her classmates at New Heights Adult High School’s McCart Avenue grand opening Thursday morning.
—Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Oct. 2025
Laughter, tears, and product placement ensue.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2025
Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 30 Oct. 2025
First released in 2020 on South Africa’s M-Net, a division of MultiChoice, and now a Canal Plus company, the thriller about how a family tears itself apart in a succession battle built a huge fandom in South Africa and fame abroad.
—John Hopewell, Variety, 13 Oct. 2025
The Achilles tears that the Boston Celtics' Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton of the Indiana Pacers suffered during the 2025 playoffs have made the race for the conference wide open this coming season.
—Robert Marvi, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Sep. 2025
In this kind of system, scientists theorize that the black hole tears the neutron star apart before swallowing it, which releases electromagnetic waves.
—Chad Hanna, The Conversation, 10 Sep. 2025
But as the war tears at civilian life, Sashi’s four brothers and their friend K are pulled into the conflict.
—Eliana Ramage
september 4, Literary Hub, 4 Sep. 2025
Bad Bunny plays Colorado, the drug ring leader, and Regina King is a crooked NY cop who tears the protagonist’s ordinary life apart.
—Malik Peay, Essence, 27 Aug. 2025
Naomi holds her family together and tears it apart in ways that feel instantly familiar in unsettling or reductive ways.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 22 Aug. 2025
In 2019, Roger Federer stood at center court in Basel, Switzerland, with gold confetti raining from above and tears streaming down his face.
—Justin Birnbaum, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025
Noun
Kylie said that her kids’ excitement during this most recent trip has brought her to tears.
—Rachel McRady, PEOPLE, 6 Nov. 2025
Her husband and three daughters, standing behind her, wiped tears from their cheeks.
—Sydney Lake, Fortune, 5 Nov. 2025
Others have complained of breaks, tears, contusions, and concussions.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Nov. 2025
Butler, who appeared to be holding back tears, listened quietly as officers explained the purpose of their visit.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 4 Nov. 2025
The official trailer is nearly three minutes long and is stuffed with bombastic special effects, intense emotion (a lot of tears), plenty of action and one mean Vecna.
—James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 30 Oct. 2025
On Wednesday, Zwerner wiped away tears as her twin sister reflected Wednesday on thechanges she’s seen in Zwerner since the first-grade teacher was shot by her 6-year-old student more than two years ago.
—Cindy Von Quednow, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2025
Princess Williams, with tears in her eyes, sat in the back row with her classmates at New Heights Adult High School’s McCart Avenue grand opening Thursday morning.
—Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Oct. 2025
Laughter, tears, and product placement ensue.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2025
Verb
Whatever pulls them together may also be the thing that tears them apart.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 30 Oct. 2025
First released in 2020 on South Africa’s M-Net, a division of MultiChoice, and now a Canal Plus company, the thriller about how a family tears itself apart in a succession battle built a huge fandom in South Africa and fame abroad.
—John Hopewell, Variety, 13 Oct. 2025
The Achilles tears that the Boston Celtics' Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton of the Indiana Pacers suffered during the 2025 playoffs have made the race for the conference wide open this coming season.
—Robert Marvi, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Sep. 2025
In this kind of system, scientists theorize that the black hole tears the neutron star apart before swallowing it, which releases electromagnetic waves.
—Chad Hanna, The Conversation, 10 Sep. 2025
But as the war tears at civilian life, Sashi’s four brothers and their friend K are pulled into the conflict.
—Eliana Ramage
september 4, Literary Hub, 4 Sep. 2025
Bad Bunny plays Colorado, the drug ring leader, and Regina King is a crooked NY cop who tears the protagonist’s ordinary life apart.
—Malik Peay, Essence, 27 Aug. 2025
Naomi holds her family together and tears it apart in ways that feel instantly familiar in unsettling or reductive ways.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 22 Aug. 2025
In 2019, Roger Federer stood at center court in Basel, Switzerland, with gold confetti raining from above and tears streaming down his face.
—Justin Birnbaum, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tears
Noun
-
The top has a classic V-stitch on the neckline and a wide hem complete with side slits.—
Olivia Young,
Travel + Leisure,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Using sharp paring knife, cut four 1 1/2-inch long slits in top of dough (think of a clock for slit placement at 12,3,6,9 positions).—
Cathy Thomas,
Oc Register,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The seventh-gen Mantra M7 still rips, but it’s finally figured out how to have a little fun, too.—
Marina Knight,
Outside,
17 Oct. 2025
-
Continue reading … CRIME MAGNET – Washington Post rips Democratic Socialist's costly bus proposal for New Yorkers.—
,
FOXNews.com,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Suddenly, someone in the audience yanks her violently into the screaming mass of people.—
Madeleine Marr,
Miami Herald,
10 Oct. 2025
-
In each Whatever After novel, a magic portal yanks the main character, Abby, out of her comfortable life and thrusts her into another reality.—
Sarah Mlynowski,
PEOPLE,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The third-year running back was in the midst of a quiet season, getting just three rushes for six yards across three games.—
Noah Camras,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Like all sugar rushes, the high fades fast and you’re left with a stomachache.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
4 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
After several flights, the shell is still free of scratches and signs of wear.—
Nicol Natale,
PEOPLE,
8 Nov. 2025
-
In the Facebook video, Loki happily accepted gentle petting and head scratches.—
Liz O'Connell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
But the sustained fury grabs you.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Today, artificial intelligence grabs headlines and AI stocks are soaring.—
Drew O’Connor,
Nashville Tennessean,
2 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Youngkin’s comments come after Democrats swept last night’s statewide and House of Delegates races in Virginia.—
Julia Manchester,
The Hill,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Detroit City Council races Along with a heated mayor's race, there are two open districts seats and two at-large seats up for grabs on the Detroit City Council.—
Detroit Free Press,
Freep.com,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Its greatest — and most realistic — role is as a legal safety net for when the world inevitably speeds past that limit.—
Sophie Yeo,
The Dial,
4 Nov. 2025
-
So, Don handles the electric clippers in the backseat while Teddy speeds away from the crime scene.—
Lauren Huff,
Entertainment Weekly,
29 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tears.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tears. Accessed 10 Nov. 2025.
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