TEARS Synonyms: 157 Similar and Opposite Words

tears 1 of 2

noun

plural of tear

as in slits

a long deep cut repaired a tear in the theater curtain just before the start of the show

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tears

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of tear

as in rips

to cause (something) to separate into jagged pieces by violently pulling at it angrily tore the letter to shreds

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as in yanks

to separate or remove by forceful pulling tore the book from his hand

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

reattaches

as in rushes

to proceed or move quickly she tore out of the room as soon as the phone started to ring

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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

Noun

There were some tears in the audience and more than a few on the stage. — Tom Selleck, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2026 When told her testimony was done, Tina burst into tears in front of the jury and buried her face in a tissue. — Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 10 Sep. 2026 At medical meetings, neurologists had tears in their eyes watching videos of children who got the drug and were not only still alive but could walk. — Gerry Smith, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2026 The fans — some of them waving American flags, others moved to tears — roared and reveled in a celebration akin to a World Series victory. — Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 10 Sep. 2026 In another solemn moment, Queen Mette-Marit was also spotted wiping away some tears. — Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 9 Sep. 2026 Where ayahuasca ceremonies typically happen at night – each participant lying down inside a private journey of visions, tears and purging – huachuma ceremonies happen in daylight. — Pardis Mahdavi, The Conversation, 8 Sep. 2026 Bereaved mother Debra Robinson stared at the accused before bursting into tears in the courtroom. — CBS News, 8 Sep. 2026 And one of the most common causes is a problem with the meibomian glands, the oil glands in the eyelids that keep tears from drying up too fast. — Maria Godoy, NPR, 4 Sep. 2026

Verb

In a sense, the proof shows that a world in which love never returns is a world whose geometry tears itself apart—assuming, of course, the proof holds up. — Sam MacDonald, Scientific American, 14 Aug. 2026 Instead of wiping firmware, an adversary nudges a setpoint, edits a protection parameter, distorts a sensor feed—or shows the operator a calm screen while the equipment tears itself apart. — Julian Durand, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026 When a testicle ruptures, the tough outer covering, called the tunica albuginea, actually tears open after an extremely forceful blow. — Angela Haupt, Time, 22 July 2026 Carter further complicates things in last week’s episode, when he drunkly tears an animal mount off the wall during Oreana’s grandmother’s big party at the 10-Petal Ranch. — Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 June 2026 As an example of how his platform would work, Wehmeyer pointed to processing insurance claims after a tornado tears through a house in Minnesota. — Camila Grigera Naón, Fortune, 24 June 2026 While the director tears his hair out, the producers see the footage and sign the Minions on the spot, but their fame is short-lived with the arrival of the talkies. — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 21 June 2026 When a battery dies, the industry routinely tears it apart to access the parts that matter. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 10 June 2026 Heavy machinery tears into the Chit Chat Cafe at the base of the Pacifica Municipal Pier, June 9, 2026. — Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 9 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for tears

Noun

The campaign showcases Diesel’s creased denim treated with resin, 3-D denim, trompe l’oeil cable knit denim and the new regular-fit D-Heel jean, which has hidden vertical slits near the ankle, perfect for slipping through a stiletto heel.

— Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 1 Sep. 2026
Its material is breathable and wrinkle-resistant, and the midi hemline has two side slits that make the dress easy to move in.

— Melony Forcier, Travel + Leisure, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of slits

Verb

During a process called Hills capture, as a stellar binary orbits a supermassive black hole and the gravitational influence of the black hole rips the binary apart, ejecting one star while capturing the other.

— Robert Lea, Space.com, 1 Sep. 2026
But the coyote has other plans and rips it up, forcing the matter to trial.

— ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of rips

Verb

When that doesn’t work, Vicki yanks off her mic and retreats to her bedroom, leaving the others uncertain of what to do next.

— Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2026
Johnson yanks veterans' benefits package An effort to advance a package of VA benefits bills this morning on the House floor went down in flames – the latest in Speaker Mike Johnson's struggle to get Republicans on the same page.

— Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 16 July 2026

Definition of yanks

Verb

Put more simply, QBI takes into account passes, rushes, scrambles, sacks, turnovers and anything else that happens when the football is in the quarterback’s hands.

— Austin Mock, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
An already small venue has been reduced in size even further as the club rushes through expansion to reach the league minimum of 15,000 capacity by the spring.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of rushes

Noun

From a functionality perspective, fireclay is non-porous and resists stains, scratches, and everyday wear while maintaining its appearance over time, says Bartel.

— Blythe Copeland, Martha Stewart, 10 Sep. 2026
Barry Morphew was seen on video buffing scratches on the other driver's car with a T-shirt and his hand.

— Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of scratches

Verb

As the striker attempts to get back to his feet, albeit with a handful of the defender’s shirt, Rosario grabs Haaland’s backside.

— Sam Lee, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2026
Innanen came up with the idea that, as Anton gets up to leave while Paul Baker and Issa make out, Paul Baker grabs his leg to keep him on the bed.

— Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of grabs

Verb

In its breathless finale, Curry races through the mansion reconstructing every murder, flinging himself through doors and corridors while maintaining the verbal precision of a stage actor performing at double speed.

— Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026
Finn Gomez / Getty Images Kirkwood, who races for Andretti Global, started second but took the lead on the opening lap with a daring maneuver around the outside of pole-sitter and championship leader Alex Palou in front of the National Archives.

— Kayla Hayempour, NBC news, 23 Aug. 2026