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
Mark Prussin, CBS News, 16 Mar. 2026
My mother’s tears were never about the loss of true love.
—Han Ong, New Yorker, 15 Mar. 2026
Despite my 2015 pre-diabetes diagnosis and later on bi-osteoarthritis and medial meniscus tears, this consistency has kept me healthy and out of the high-cost medical system for 11 years.
—Chicago Tribune, 15 Mar. 2026
His playing radiates warmth and emotion, capable of moving listeners to tears or filling a room with heartfelt passion.
—Heide Janssen, Oc Register, 15 Mar. 2026
Lots of sniffles and tears at the end.
—Antonia Blyth, Deadline, 15 Mar. 2026
The result is a reductive unfurling that frames each one as bullet points that must be touched upon through obligation, rather than related knots or tears in a larger social fabric.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 14 Mar. 2026
What the picture didn’t document were the tears running down Marilyn’s cheeks.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 14 Mar. 2026
And so, there [were] some tears.
—Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 9 Mar. 2026
Rai Mincey, Southern Living, 10 Mar. 2026
His scientist creator, Victor Frankenstein, reluctantly agrees, but at the last moment tears the unfinished mate limb from limb as the creature watches on in horror.
—Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 6 Mar. 2026
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
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
Noun
There were tears and hugs outside the Maxwell family home in Westbury after the identification was made.
—Mark Prussin, CBS News, 16 Mar. 2026
My mother’s tears were never about the loss of true love.
—Han Ong, New Yorker, 15 Mar. 2026
Despite my 2015 pre-diabetes diagnosis and later on bi-osteoarthritis and medial meniscus tears, this consistency has kept me healthy and out of the high-cost medical system for 11 years.
—Chicago Tribune, 15 Mar. 2026
His playing radiates warmth and emotion, capable of moving listeners to tears or filling a room with heartfelt passion.
—Heide Janssen, Oc Register, 15 Mar. 2026
Lots of sniffles and tears at the end.
—Antonia Blyth, Deadline, 15 Mar. 2026
The result is a reductive unfurling that frames each one as bullet points that must be touched upon through obligation, rather than related knots or tears in a larger social fabric.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 14 Mar. 2026
What the picture didn’t document were the tears running down Marilyn’s cheeks.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 14 Mar. 2026
And so, there [were] some tears.
—Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 9 Mar. 2026
Verb
If the oyster tears slightly, don’t panic; flavor matters much more than perfection.
—Rai Mincey, Southern Living, 10 Mar. 2026
His scientist creator, Victor Frankenstein, reluctantly agrees, but at the last moment tears the unfinished mate limb from limb as the creature watches on in horror.
—Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 6 Mar. 2026
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tears
Noun
-
The Neo chassis also features side-firing speakers instead of speakers beneath the keyboard, venting out slits on the left and right side that resemble SD-card slots.—
Joe Osborne,
PC Magazine,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Moore paired her bob with leather separates, which consisted of a tight-fitting jacket and skinny pants with slits up the ankles.—
Hannah Malach,
InStyle,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Above this playful mess of a beat, which includes a music box-like instrument that sounds partially broken, Shabaka rips out brief and noisy phrases on tenor sax.—
Mark Richardson,
Pitchfork,
12 Mar. 2026
-
It’s generally accepted that John rips Carolyn’s engagement ring off her finger in the park, and returns it when sitting on the curb.—
Radhika Seth,
Vogue,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
According to the footage, Falcinelli then moves toward the officer before the officer yanks him by the arm.—
Devoun Cetoute,
Miami Herald,
24 Feb. 2026
-
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
Verb
-
Air then rushes into your nose (or, less optimally, your mouth); past your throat, voice box, and windpipe; and into your lungs.—
Gilad Edelman,
The Atlantic,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Listening to music rushes her work because she is tempted to sculpt or sew or cook to the beat.—
Claire Salinda,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The soft, durable material protects the table underneath from hot plates, spilled drinks and scratches, while the pattern is fun and charming.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Don’t use the tablets on delicate surfaces like porcelain and ceramic because their strong chemicals can cause damage like scratches and dulling.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In the kitchen, Wells grabs a round of dough resting in semolina flour.—
Sean Timberlake,
Sacbee.com,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Inspired, Larry grabs a random woman and kisses her on the mouth.—
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
As Europe races toward energy independence, this facility could become a primary feeder for a pipeline network meant to power the continent’s heavy industry.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Mar. 2026
-
That prompted the team to tab Myatt Snider, who races part-time in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series.—
Jeff Gluck,
New York Times,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Just as an ice skater at the Winter Olympics draws in their arms to increase their spin speed, the rapid decrease in diameter of a neutron star speeds up its rotation.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
12 Mar. 2026
-
This prevents smells, reduces the risk of pests, and speeds up breakdown when burying the peels.—
Michelle Mastro,
Martha Stewart,
7 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tears.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tears. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.
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