TORE Synonyms: 151 Similar and Opposite Words

tore

verb

Definition of tore

past tense of tear

as in ripped

to cause (something) to separate into jagged pieces by violently pulling at it angrily tore the letter to shreds

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in yanked

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

reattached

as in raced

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

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 tore In the early hours of New Year's Day, a fire tore through a bar in the Swiss ski resort town of Crans-Montana, killing about 40 people and injuring more than 100. — ABC News, 13 July 2026 At least 27 people were killed when a massive fire tore through the Na Ladprao pub in northern Bangkok shortly after midnight, sending panicked patrons scrambling to escape. — Los Angeles Times, 12 July 2026 The wind still tore through The Gap, piling waves onto the shore and driving sand across camp. — John Todd, Outdoor Life, 9 July 2026 Forward Curtis Sumpter tore his ACL and big man Jason Fraser battled chronic knee injuries, forcing Wright to roll out a four-guard offense featuring Randy Foye, Allan Ray, Mike Nardi and Kyle Lowry. — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 8 July 2026 Later, Gabriel tore Haaland’s shirt, the light-blue fabric trailing in the breeze as the pair chased a loose ball. — Jack Lang, New York Times, 5 July 2026 Adams, a rookie free agent, tore his Achilles in the closing minutes of a first-round NCAA Tournament loss to Arkansas on March 20, 2025. — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 4 July 2026 That’s been evident to ACHD since 2017, when high water tore through the base of the bridge and damaged its footings, requiring emergency repairs and riprap. — Mark Dee july 3, Idaho Statesman, 3 July 2026 After his kick found the net, Bajraktarević tore off his jersey and held up the back of it, with his family name across the top, to the fans and cameras. — Becky Sullivan, NPR, 1 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for tore

Verb

By that time thousands of ground-penetrating bombs had ripped through the subsoil with the seismic force of small earthquakes.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 July 2026
In 2018, the Camp fire ripped through Butte County, burning 150,000 acres and killing 85 people.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 16 July 2026

Definition of ripped

Verb

Norway’s elite 6-foot-5 goal scorer raced with some of the best in the battle for the Golden Boot in the tournament, given to the player with the most goals, and his performance in DFW put his name firmly on the world stage.

— Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 July 2026
After a poor first touch with his head, Digne was trying to clear the ball when Yamal raced in from behind to challenge in the penalty area.

— ABC News, ABC News, 14 July 2026

Definition of raced

Verb

The victim followed the fleeing Jeep on foot and grabbed onto the vehicle when it got stuck in traffic, authorities said.

— Caelyn Pender, Mercury News, 16 July 2026
In September 2020, author Elin Hilderbrand grabbed a drink at the Nantucket Hotel bar with a visiting writer friend.

— Clarissa Cruz, Entertainment Weekly, 16 July 2026

Definition of grabbed

Verb

In response, the driver sped off, leading officers through parts of Lyon Township, Milford, Wixom, Highland Township and Rose Township.

— Paula Wethington, CBS News, 13 July 2026
Bill Gates and Warren Buffett sped things up with their Giving Pledge, asking billionaire signers to give away their money during their lifetimes.

— Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 11 July 2026

Definition of sped

Verb

On a moonless night, that Alpha team crept silently from the statue’s belly and wrenched open the gates of Troy, decisively ending the war in their favor.

— Hillary Busis, Vanity Fair, 15 July 2026
Yet the men are wrenched apart, and the culprit seems to be nothing less than a hostile world, one marked by material scarcity and insurmountable alienation.

— Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 13 July 2026

Definition of wrenched

Verb

The plane stopped, passengers scurried to the terminal and airport employees climbed up on the wings trying to keep the airliner from blowing away.

— Dan Kelly July 8, Kansas City Star, 8 July 2026
Waterbucks stood tall and stately along the trail and hordes of the little Angola impalas scurried across in front of us.

— Jack O'Connor, Outdoor Life, 8 July 2026

Definition of scurried

Verb

Conine waited on a full-count changeup with one out in the fifth and pulled it over the fence in right-center field for a 1-0 lead.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 18 July 2026
His hair is pulled back in a knot, and his spear is aimed at something under the surface of the water.

— Anne Doran, ARTnews.com, 17 July 2026