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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in yanks

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

The primary players expected to miss the start of preseason camp next week are recovering from ACL tears, not soft-tissue injuries. — Pete Sampson, New York Times, 31 July 2026 The term was coined in 1981 based on the cases of four elderly women in Wisconsin who, like the man, had severe destruction of their shoulder joints and massive tears to their rotator cuffs. — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 31 July 2026 Eight hours of stitching to close all the puncture wounds and tears followed. — Todd Orr, Outdoor Life, 30 July 2026 The customer bought an angel figure, fashioned with tears on her face and arms holding her chest. — Emily Tarinelli, Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2026 Ways to prevent mosquito bites are the use of insect repellent, elimination of standing water, keeping grass and weeds short, wearing protective clothing and ensuring that all screens, windows and doors are tight-fitting and free of holes and tears. — Felicity Abbott, CBS News, 29 July 2026 After choking back tears just moments earlier, Copenhaver said the commission's decision was par for the course and did not hurt her chances of flipping the election's result. — Cate Charron, IndyStar, 29 July 2026 Your eyes constantly produce a thin layer of basal tears to keep the cornea lubricated, and the duct quietly shuttles that trickle into the nose, where it’s absorbed or blended into normal nasal mucus without a trace. — Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026 Artificial tears instantly replenish moisture and soothe irritation. — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 22 July 2026

Verb

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 Peppler tears big chunks of it off and passes it around for everyone to try, before illustrating the culinary importance of a good pissaladière. — Jennifer Leigh Parker, Forbes.com, 12 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 The Un Certain Regard best actor award went to Bradley Fiomona Dembeasset for his turn in Rafiki Fariala’s Congo Boy, playing a teen talent in the Central African Republic who dreams of a career in music as a civil war tears his country apart. — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 22 May 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for tears

Noun

Leg slits offer more breathability and comfort for shorter wearers.

— Paige Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 July 2026
So consider opting for this breezy style with a V-neckline, cap sleeves, side slits, roomy pockets, and a curved hem.

— Emily Weaver, PEOPLE, 26 July 2026

Definition of slits

Verb

It’s followed by Watts, coming in on drums slightly offbeat, and then Richards, who rips the song open with his five-string open G tuning technique.

— René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 July 2026
During his tour, a solar flare causes an electromagnetic disturbance that rips through the systems of civilization and into the data center.

— Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 30 June 2026

Definition of rips

Verb

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
Like a false note on an out-of-tune piano, a clunky verb, a sentence without rhythm, yanks the reader out the flow of the work.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 19 May 2026

Definition of yanks

Noun

According to appliance expert Ilaria Castagnoli, white film can also be caused by micro-scratches left behind by abrasive cookware or cleaning pads.

— Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 29 July 2026
One of the standout pieces in Galecki’s room is a yellow chair with visible scratches, rips and worn fabric.

— Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 24 July 2026

Definition of scratches

Verb

Now almost synonymous, Singer races multiple cars up the hillclimb each year at Goodwood, while showing new models on a stand nearby.

— Michael Teo Van Runkle, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
In the 2025 novel, symbologist Robert Langdon races against ancient forces and time to rescue a missing scientist and her groundbreaking manuscript whose discoveries have the power to forever change humanity’s understanding of the mind.

— Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 31 July 2026