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 Bigger and bigger crowds flocked down here as Mexico tore through the Cup before its face-off against England, with many coming from outside Santa Ana. — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 6 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 The flames tore through the one-story area of the motel's back building. — ABC News, 1 July 2026 In 2021, disaster nearly erased the landmark entirely when a fire tore through much of the restaurant, heavily damaging the building. — Arkansas Online, 28 June 2026 In the hours after two earthquakes tore through northern Venezuela on the evening of June 24, the people pulling survivors from the rubble were, overwhelmingly, the survivors’ own neighbors. — Luis E. Romero, Forbes.com, 27 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for tore

Verb

Now, there are other less, kind of, ripped-from-the-headlines cases.

— Hanna Rosin, The Atlantic, 9 July 2026
As a result of low demand and a decline in sales, California producers ripped out nearly 40,000 acres of vines, according to a 2025 report from the California Association of Winegrape Growers (CAWG).

— Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 9 July 2026

Definition of ripped

Verb

Then, five days after the best start of his young MLB career coincided with one of his worst moments, he was yanked after just 2 1/3 innings in Sunday’s 11-5 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates.

— Spencer Nusbaum, New York Times, 5 July 2026
Winco also yanked about 13,500 Roman Candles 8 Shot 3-Pack Firework Devices.

— David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 2 July 2026

Definition of yanked

Verb

The Speed actor met Hollinger — who raced motorcycles as a child until age 34, eventually launching his own custom-bike building business — in 2009, when Reeves commissioned Hollinger to build a bike for him.

— Kimberly Nordyke, HollywoodReporter, 6 July 2026
An islandwide blackout plunged Cuba’s nearly 10 million residents into darkness Monday, exposing a crumbling power grid and dwindling fuel reserves as officials raced to restore electricity.

— Milexsy Durán, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026

Definition of raced

Verb

Prosecutors allege Clay intentionally drove his car onto the sidewalk, sped toward a crowd of pedestrians and hit eight of them before slamming into a gate.

— Jason Green, Mercury News, 7 July 2026
Trump confirmed the project after the helipad plans had been rumored for months, with construction reportedly sped up ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit in September, according to the Washington Post.

— Kiara Moore, The Washington Examiner, 6 July 2026

Definition of sped

Verb

The Rangers had a rough stretch during the seventh when Eovaldi got pulled after allowing one run.

— Cal Phillips Updated July 9, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 July 2026
Valya volunteers to detach Venera 7’s bathysphere, knowing that he’ll be pulled toward Venus, and will certainly die there.

— Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 10 July 2026