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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show current usage.
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Recent Examples of tears
Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2025
In August, the manager for Chris Brown surprised Monica with a new Maybach, bringing her to tears.
—Essence, 2 Oct. 2025
Then and only then did my tears release.
—Rick Mauch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Oct. 2025
Hundreds of thousands erupted in cheers and tears.
—Nick Spicer, NPR, 1 Oct. 2025
Offered in double black and indigo/tan colorways, both pieces feature durable washed-wax canvas in high stress areas to prevent tears.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 1 Oct. 2025
Fighting tears, Snitker addressed a group that included players Ozzie Albies, Drake Baldwin, Spencer Strider, Reynaldo López, Austin Riley, Michael Harris II and Joe Jiménez.
—David O'Brien, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
In episode 7, Amanda looks constantly on the verge of tears.
—Sam Reed, Glamour, 1 Oct. 2025
Charleson played the iconic daytime character for nearly five decades, first stepping into the role in 1977, and the tears being shed for Monica by her closest friends and family members feel all too real.
—Andy Swift, TVLine, 25 Sep. 2025
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
That process involves selling a majority of units to a developer who dissolves the condo association, tears the building down and builds new.
—Rebecca Liebson, Sun Sentinel, 11 Aug. 2025
Jacob Anderson tears into the undead flesh of the enemies who murdered his daughter, channeling his pain and fury into a series of increasingly gruesome vampiric assassinations.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 9 Aug. 2025
Noun
Specifically, in Nabers' case, that injury occurred on what has become a notorious turf surface at MetLife Stadium, which has also claimed other players' seasons to serious injuries, including multiple ACL and Achilles tears.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2025
In August, the manager for Chris Brown surprised Monica with a new Maybach, bringing her to tears.
—Essence, 2 Oct. 2025
Then and only then did my tears release.
—Rick Mauch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Oct. 2025
Hundreds of thousands erupted in cheers and tears.
—Nick Spicer, NPR, 1 Oct. 2025
Offered in double black and indigo/tan colorways, both pieces feature durable washed-wax canvas in high stress areas to prevent tears.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 1 Oct. 2025
Fighting tears, Snitker addressed a group that included players Ozzie Albies, Drake Baldwin, Spencer Strider, Reynaldo López, Austin Riley, Michael Harris II and Joe Jiménez.
—David O'Brien, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
In episode 7, Amanda looks constantly on the verge of tears.
—Sam Reed, Glamour, 1 Oct. 2025
Charleson played the iconic daytime character for nearly five decades, first stepping into the role in 1977, and the tears being shed for Monica by her closest friends and family members feel all too real.
—Andy Swift, TVLine, 25 Sep. 2025
Verb
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
That process involves selling a majority of units to a developer who dissolves the condo association, tears the building down and builds new.
—Rebecca Liebson, Sun Sentinel, 11 Aug. 2025
Jacob Anderson tears into the undead flesh of the enemies who murdered his daughter, channeling his pain and fury into a series of increasingly gruesome vampiric assassinations.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 9 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tears
Noun
-
Place the parchment circle with the slits in it over the apples.—
Staff Author,
Better Homes & Gardens,
28 Sep. 2025
-
The hems are finished with seamed details and side slits.—
Jamie Allison Sanders,
PEOPLE,
27 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
As several women listen intently, Belushi, donning a toga, rips the guitar out of Bishop's hands and smashes it into a wall.—
Mark Gray,
PEOPLE,
5 Oct. 2025
-
Advertisement Never one to give up, Arisu rips a piece of the grid room’s floor from its moorings and uses it to smash into the screen wall separating him from the outside.—
Kayti Burt,
Time,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
Thing rebels against his master and yanks out his clockwork heart.—
Jessica M. Goldstein,
Vulture,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Too many big plays allowed The Commanders have given up 32 explosive plays (completions of at least 16 yards and rushes of at least 12 yards), tied for the fifth-most in the league through Week 4.—
Nicki Jhabvala,
New York Times,
30 Sep. 2025
-
While the Broncos’ passing game led them to victory, the typically reliable running back group was solid as well — 44 rushes for 152 yards — even though the average per rush was dragged down by a fumble that led to a 14-yard loss for Madsen.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
28 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
They’re made of heavy-duty, durable ceramic with a glass porcelain finish and are resistant to scratches.—
Shea Simmons,
Southern Living,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Consistent cleaning routines and safe storage habits help prevent smudges, scratches, and buildup.—
Claire Hoppe Norgaard,
Better Homes & Gardens,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
When virtual particle pairs pop into existence at the edge of black holes, sometimes the black hole’s gravity grabs one partner while the other escapes.—
Dipangkar Dutta,
The Conversation,
3 Oct. 2025
-
When Catalina goes into the kitchen to refill her calabash, Frances grabs the box of Thompson paperbacks and makes a run for Ray at the restaurant.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
While the movie easily races from one scene to another at a break-neck pace, behind the scenes, the local production work was a massive undertaking, bringing together public officials from multiple city, county and federal agencies.—
Abby Hamblin,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 Sep. 2025
-
RDREs use a detonation wave that races around a circular channel, which produces short, high-pressure bursts that drive up thrust and efficiency.—
Josh Dinner,
Space.com,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
DirectStorage speeds up game load times, making the most of modern hardware.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Castro used creative building methods and took advantage of special zoning and state laws, helping keep costs low and speeds up construction.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
30 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tears.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tears. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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