1
as in destroys
to bring to a complete end the physical soundness, existence, or usefulness of
vandals tore down the wooden fence blocking the entrance to the beach
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in demolishes
to destroy (as a building) completely by knocking down or breaking to pieces
the new owners apparently bought the house just to tear it down and build a lavish mansion in its place
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of tears down
Even in moments of disagreement, we are called to speak with charity and to seek dialogue that builds up, rather than tears down.
—
Jennifer McRae, CBS News, 13 Apr. 2026
The body of the plane tears down the middle.
—Literary Hub, 10 Feb. 2026
Jennifer McRae, CBS News, 13 Apr. 2026
The body of the plane tears down the middle.
—Literary Hub, 10 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tears down
Verb
-
Sprinkle dill over your food after cooking, as heat destroys its flavor.—
Merve Ceylan,
Health,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Cody Rhodes destroys ‘outside forces’ in scathing promo Cody Rhodes’ promos in the midst of Pat McAfee’s insertion into his WrestleMania feud with Randy Orton blurred the line on what was real and what was kayfabe.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The latest filing demolishes the timeworn claim that DOGE was infiltrated into Social Security in order to responsibly ferret out fraud and overspending.—
Business Columnist,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Jan. 2026
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If the city demolishes the building, the costs will be assessed to the property owner.—
Frederick Melo,
Twin Cities,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
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But the beetles don't come back after the evil WESAYSO corporation ruins their habitat.—
Victoria Edel,
PEOPLE,
29 Apr. 2026
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On Bolivia’s Isla del Sol, simple guesthouses and boutique hotels overlook Incan ruins and the seemingly endless blue water.—
Carla Vianna,
Condé Nast Traveler,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Rookie Bill Russell scores 19 points and pulls down a game-high 32 rebounds.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Apr. 2026
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Gravity pulls down particles, which then swirl back up with the smallest crosscurrent.—
Nashia Baker,
Martha Stewart,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Related Stories The film shatters stereotypical visuals of space, veering away from cold and desaturated colors, and using warmer tones such as orange.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
31 Mar. 2026
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His refusal to take the curse seriously shatters her trust, leaving her questioning their entire relationship.—
Allison DeGrushe,
Entertainment Weekly,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The change launches biannual arguments about the practice, wrecks havoc on sleep and has inspired voters to go to California polls.—
Hannah Poukish,
Sacbee.com,
7 Mar. 2026
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In a film like this, you’re ostensibly meant to root against the terror that the central characters wrecks on his victims.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
16 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Florida’s citrus industry has been in a steady decline the past 25 years because of Huanglongbing (also known as HLB and citrus greening disease), a bacterial disease that devastates citrus trees.—
Jim Turner,
Sun Sentinel,
9 Apr. 2026
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Kyiv residents endure long daily blackouts as Russia devastates the power system, leaving tower block dwellers freezing in apartments with no heat or light.—
Derek Gatopoulos,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Sergei Bubka of the Soviet Union breaks his world outdoor pole vault record and Seppo Raty of Finland smashes the world javelin record during the Toto International Super Track and Field Meet in Japan.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
6 May 2026
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Before the opening credits roll, Creasy smashes his car into a concrete barrier.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tears down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tears%20down. Accessed 9 May. 2026.
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