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 present, Matthew mounts his own investigation into the crime that tore his life apart, confronting old friends, revisiting broken relationships and interrogating the people who built the case against him. — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2026 Six people died and several others were injured after a three-alarm fire tore through a home in Brooklyn, New York, early Thursday morning. — ABC News, 5 Nov. 2026 Six people were killed when a massive fire tore through a Brooklyn home early Thursday, officials said. — Emma Seiwell, New York Daily News, 5 Nov. 2026 Hirschfield tore through Highlands Ranch and Littleton at speeds exceeding 100 mph, crossing medians and driving against traffic before crashing into another vehicle, according to authorities. — Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 3 Nov. 2026 His streak of games with at least one score on the ground, which began the very game that Achane tore his ACL, also ended at four. — Miami Herald, 2 Nov. 2026 Four tornadoes tore across southwest Michigan in early March 2026, killing four people. — Daniel P. Aldrich, The Conversation, 2 Nov. 2026 In August, it was announced that Bautista would be replacing Ryan Hurst in the show’s lead role after the latter tore a bicep while performing a stunt on set. — Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 2 Nov. 2026 After the Norte fire tore through 570 acres across south Orange County, destroying many homes, everybody needed this. — Caleb Otte, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for tore

Verb

Old walls that once separated the exam rooms have been ripped down, leaving a large open space.

— Noelle Alviz-Gransee Updated November 2, Kansas City Star, 2 Nov. 2026
Roughly two months after fire ripped through Newhall’s historic downtown, four people are under arrest, accused of arson and conspiracy in the devastating blaze.

— Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of ripped

Verb

The district secured $150 million in federal funding to fix the issue, but it was yanked back as part of cost-cutting efforts in 2025, then recently re-instated this year.

— Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 27 Oct. 2026
With the wheels threatening to come off, Rays manager Kevin Cash yanked Seymour and put in Kevin Kelly.

— Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of yanked

Verb

Sold as a two-year-old in 2006 for a record $16 million, the horse raced three times, never finishing better than third.

— Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2026
An ominous darkness raced across the sky, while rusty-red hues illuminated the clouds, creating an almost apocalyptic scene.

— Anthony Wood, Space.com, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of raced

Verb

One of the officers grabbed a protester who was filming him and deployed pepper spray after a brief struggle.

— Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 5 Nov. 2026
The story grabbed worldwide attention and ended tragically when the baby’s body was found in the woods just a few miles from home.

— Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of grabbed

Verb

The grooms did a grand sparkler exit and sped off on Nolan’s 1973 BMW R75/5 with cans tied to the back.

— Shelby Wax, Vogue, 2 Nov. 2026
The shadows of derelict city vehicles flickered against the distant back wall as the light operator sped up, frantically searching for partying concertgoers.

— Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of sped

Verb

The bit caught a pipe strap and wrenched him off a ladder, tearing off his thumb and mangling his hand.

— Joe Rubin, Sacbee.com, 8 Oct. 2026
The flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, after passengers stormed the cockpit and wrenched back controlfrom the attacker, who Israeli officials suspect was trying to crash the plane.

— Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of wrenched

Verb

The Off Campus duo, Emma Watson, Hunter Schafer, Chase Infiniti, and Tyriq Withers, who all scurried off together to continue the already-memorable night elsewhere.

— Kelsey Stewart, Vogue, 18 Oct. 2026
Daniels also could have scurried to his feet and spiked the ball because there were seven seconds remaining when he was tackled.

— Armando Salguero OutKick, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of scurried

Verb

Ivan Fedorov, co-chair of the regional defense council, said 12 bodies pulled from the rubble had been identified so far.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 5 Nov. 2026
Someone got out of the front passenger seat of the car, walked around the back of the vehicle, pulled a gun out of the pocket of his hoodie, and fired four shots into the front driver's side window.

— Todd Feurer, CBS News, 4 Nov. 2026