1
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
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2
as in yanked
to separate or remove by forceful pulling
tore the book from his hand
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
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
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Recent Examples of tore
Kancey, 25, tore his pectoral muscle in a Week 2 win at Houston and missed most of last season.
—
Rick Stroud, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Apr. 2026
James Maddison sustained the injury during pre-season in August, Wilson Odobert tore his ACL in February, while Radu Dragusin ruptured the ligament in February 2025.
—Dan Kilpatrick, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
As terror and confusion tore through the small community about 30 miles north of New Orleans, and Sharp’s family and friends tried to make sense of the brutal slaying, detectives worked tirelessly to find her killer — or killers.
—Kc Baker, PEOPLE, 27 Apr. 2026
Powell tore out one of her own shoes laces to use as a tourniquet to start an IV.
—ABC News, 27 Apr. 2026
Raridon only produced in one season at Notre Dame and tore the same ACL twice in high school and as a freshman in college.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 27 Apr. 2026
One mistake led to another, until, shortly after midnight, a violent blast tore the reactor apart and released vast amounts of radiation into the atmosphere.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 26 Apr. 2026
DiVincenzo tore his Achilles tendon in the opening minutes in Minneapolis.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 26 Apr. 2026
Two people were killed and 11 injured when a massive fire tore through a Bronx apartment building Tuesday, officials said.
—Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 21 Apr. 2026
Rick Stroud, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Apr. 2026
James Maddison sustained the injury during pre-season in August, Wilson Odobert tore his ACL in February, while Radu Dragusin ruptured the ligament in February 2025.
—Dan Kilpatrick, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
As terror and confusion tore through the small community about 30 miles north of New Orleans, and Sharp’s family and friends tried to make sense of the brutal slaying, detectives worked tirelessly to find her killer — or killers.
—Kc Baker, PEOPLE, 27 Apr. 2026
Powell tore out one of her own shoes laces to use as a tourniquet to start an IV.
—ABC News, 27 Apr. 2026
Raridon only produced in one season at Notre Dame and tore the same ACL twice in high school and as a freshman in college.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 27 Apr. 2026
One mistake led to another, until, shortly after midnight, a violent blast tore the reactor apart and released vast amounts of radiation into the atmosphere.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 26 Apr. 2026
DiVincenzo tore his Achilles tendon in the opening minutes in Minneapolis.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 26 Apr. 2026
Two people were killed and 11 injured when a massive fire tore through a Bronx apartment building Tuesday, officials said.
—Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 21 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tore
Verb
-
State patrol officials said the crash derailed six passenger cars and two locomotives, ripped open the truck’s tank of fuel and damaged the train tracks.—
Lauren Penington,
Denver Post,
7 May 2026
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In the first inning of the Yankees matchup against the Texas Rangers at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday, Rangers leadoff hitter Brandon Nimmo ripped the ball to left field off Yankees starter Paul Blackburn.—
Ryan Canfield,
FOXNews.com,
7 May 2026
Verb
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Spurs coach Mitch Johnson could’ve yanked him for the veteran Harrison Barnes.—
Christian Clark,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Jackson’s music was also yanked from several radio stations in New Zealand, but eventually re-added.—
Amelia McDonell-Parry,
Rolling Stone,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Remembering Ted Turner, an American original Ted Turner, the brash, visionary entrepreneur who founded CNN, transformed cable television, raced yachts in the America's Cup, and became one of America's leading conservationists, died May 6 at 87.—
David Morgan,
CBS News,
8 May 2026
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The California fan, Andrea Esperanza Martinez, raced up to her idol.—
Leena Tailor,
Rolling Stone,
8 May 2026
Verb
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Sabres winger Zach Benson took advantage of Lane Hutson stumbling at the defensive blue line, and grabbed a loose puck before setting up Josh Doan for the opening goal less than five minutes into the game.—
Matthew Fairburn,
New York Times,
7 May 2026
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When he was found, deputies said Ortiz became belligerent, yelled at employees, threatened to harm them with a gun, and grabbed one of the resort employees.—
Steven Yablonski,
CBS News,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
Henley wrenched away from her mother's grip, turned, and darted up the stairs again, leaving Emily and Kate in startled silence.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
PEOPLE,
1 May 2026
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As the plane twisted upward, the air pressure wrenched off another tail fin.—
Burkhard Bilger,
New Yorker,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Kimmel’s pretend roast The license probe reportedly was sped up after the Kimmel joke.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
28 Apr. 2026
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The city has released unedited footage showing the high-speed, life-or-death negotiation that played out when a robbery suspect sped off with an Antioch officer inside his getaway car, then attempted to negotiate out of trouble until being shot in the leg.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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When agents approached, Marx ran, then pulled a handgun from his waistband while fleeing, according to a federal affidavit reviewed by Fox News Digital.—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
FOXNews.com,
7 May 2026
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The loose, stretchy fit is comfortable enough for all-day sightseeing yet still looks pulled together for dinner reservations.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
6 May 2026
Verb
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When the news came that a horse had scratched, a great stir rose, and several of the groomsmen who were sitting in the stalls with their horse wards scurried to start their brisk brushing to get the pine shavings off and used their jute sacks to spit-shine the coats slick.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
30 Apr. 2026
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Flyers fans stomped on the animal and nearly destroyed it before security scurried the souvenir away from the rambunctious crowd.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
23 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tore.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tore. Accessed 9 May. 2026.
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