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
Peter White, Deadline, 23 Feb. 2026
While expressing his condolences to the families of the officials killed, Trevilla Trejo broke down into tears.
—Nicole Acevedo, NBC news, 23 Feb. 2026
The tension of the washing machine could pull on the buttons, possibly leading to tears in the fabric.
—Heather Bien, Southern Living, 23 Feb. 2026
Such trickery to assign great value to low-worth materials also underpins the surprise ending for The Girl Who Cried Pearls, which follows a poor boy falling in love with a girl overwhelmed by sorrow to the point her tears turn into pearls.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 23 Feb. 2026
Much of the audience and the entire judges' panel dissolved into tears, earning Robert and Carson the first perfect score of the season.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Feb. 2026
After more than two weeks of trials, triumphs, and tears, the 2026 Winter Olympic Games have almost come to a close.
—Jason Pham, StyleCaster, 22 Feb. 2026
Roman's story resonating across the globe, even bringing this translator to tears at the European Parliament.
—ABC News, 22 Feb. 2026
When Obama delivered his election-night victory speech in Chicago’s Grant Park in 2008 to a massive crowd of cheering onlookers, the cameras caught Jackson looking on, tears in his eyes.
—John Blake, CNN Money, 17 Feb. 2026
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
These bags keep the items from experiencing friction that tears at the fibers.
—Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 29 Dec. 2025
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
Jonathan Groff tears into Broadway’s hit Bobby Darin bio-musical with a volcanic, full-body performance that never lets up.
—Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 18 Dec. 2025
Noun
The film follows Fogarty, who lives with EB, a rare and extremely painful genetic condition that leaves her skin so fragile it blisters and tears at the slightest touch.
—Peter White, Deadline, 23 Feb. 2026
While expressing his condolences to the families of the officials killed, Trevilla Trejo broke down into tears.
—Nicole Acevedo, NBC news, 23 Feb. 2026
The tension of the washing machine could pull on the buttons, possibly leading to tears in the fabric.
—Heather Bien, Southern Living, 23 Feb. 2026
Such trickery to assign great value to low-worth materials also underpins the surprise ending for The Girl Who Cried Pearls, which follows a poor boy falling in love with a girl overwhelmed by sorrow to the point her tears turn into pearls.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 23 Feb. 2026
Much of the audience and the entire judges' panel dissolved into tears, earning Robert and Carson the first perfect score of the season.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Feb. 2026
After more than two weeks of trials, triumphs, and tears, the 2026 Winter Olympic Games have almost come to a close.
—Jason Pham, StyleCaster, 22 Feb. 2026
Roman's story resonating across the globe, even bringing this translator to tears at the European Parliament.
—ABC News, 22 Feb. 2026
When Obama delivered his election-night victory speech in Chicago’s Grant Park in 2008 to a massive crowd of cheering onlookers, the cameras caught Jackson looking on, tears in his eyes.
—John Blake, CNN Money, 17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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
These bags keep the items from experiencing friction that tears at the fibers.
—Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 29 Dec. 2025
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
Jonathan Groff tears into Broadway’s hit Bobby Darin bio-musical with a volcanic, full-body performance that never lets up.
—Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 18 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tears
Noun
-
Using sharp metal disks that spin, the machine carves slits into the soil and drops the grass seed into those slits.—
David Beaulieu,
The Spruce,
19 Feb. 2026
-
The top has long sleeves, side slits, and a pleated front—a stylish addition that elevates the set from your usual sweatsuit.—
Paige Bennett,
Better Homes & Gardens,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Continue reading … LATE-NIGHT HOAX — FCC chair rips media for promoting claim CBS blocked Colbert-Talarico interview.—
,
FOXNews.com,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Seguin rips Burleson, remains fourth in 8-5A Zoderick Green paced Arlington Seguin with 17 points as the Cougars held on to fourth place in District 8-5A with a 69-42 win over Burleson.—
Darren Lauber,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
Suddenly, someone in the audience yanks her violently into the screaming mass of people.—
Madeleine Marr,
Miami Herald,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Instead, researchers found that the upper pitches appear to form when air rushes through a narrow opening in the animal’s larynx, creating a tiny jet of turbulent air.—
Liz Neporent,
ABC News,
23 Feb. 2026
-
Courts are likely to strike down Section 301 tariffs on purely procedural grounds if the administration rushes them through without proper process.—
Rogé Karma,
The Atlantic,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Five Disneyland visitors suffered minor scrapes and scratches in 2008 when a tree branch fell near the Cafe Orleans restaurant in New Orleans Square, according to the Orange County Register.—
Brady MacDonald,
Oc Register,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Low-quality or dirty microfiber cloths can leave scratches behind.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Cathy goes to wipe her fingers on her skirt, but Heathcliff instead grabs her hand and puts her fingers in his mouth.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Soon thereafter, a gear fishing pal of yours gifted you an old, unused fly rod, and that totally grabs a hold of you and completely directs the rest of your life.—
Outside Online,
Outside Online,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Bowe, who races in the women’s 500 meters on Sunday, has Olympic bronze medals in the team pursuit and the 1,000 meters and holds the world record in her signature distance.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Supported 3 previous Democratic candidates races for HD-64.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Paradise speeds through Annie and Gayle’s first 45 days in the TV room.—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
23 Feb. 2026
-
After the Slasher speeds off, Jane begins a multistate hunt to bring him to justice while her new foe is on his own path to a destructive endgame.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
20 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tears.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tears. Accessed 24 Feb. 2026.
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