1
as in destroyed
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 demolished
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
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 down
Footage showed dozens of people being arrested as agitators shouted insults at state patrol officers, tore down yellow police tape and hurled lewd objects at law enforcement.
—
Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 8 Feb. 2026
The mother and son tore down the existing structure and built the Tavern in its place.
—Matthew Geiger, Denver Post, 7 Feb. 2026
But several months later, construction crews tore down the East Wing and colonnade, as well as the Jacqueline Kennedy Garden.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 2 Feb. 2026
The group of artists, which was led by then-couple Michael Townsend and Adriana Valdez-Young, came up with the plan after real estate developers tore down their artists' commune about a mile away from what would become the mall.
—Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 27 Jan. 2026
During the demonstrations for racial justice in 2020, protestors across the country defaced and tore down statues of Washington, arguing that enslavers should be reviled, not honored.
—John Garrison Marks, Time, 23 Jan. 2026
Beyond the Luddites, rioters destroyed threshing machines in 1830, Welsh protesters tore down turnpike tollgates in the 1840s.
—Craig S. Smith, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
The Free Press reports the Detroit Land Bank Authority is separately investigating another demolition contractor who allegedly tore down several homes and buried the debris under layers of backfill dirt instead of properly disposing of the materials.
—Violet Ikonomova, Freep.com, 12 Jan. 2026
All six members of the Commission of Fine Arts -- the panel that is supposed to review this construction project -- were fired as crews tore down building's section.
—Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 31 Oct. 2025
Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 8 Feb. 2026
The mother and son tore down the existing structure and built the Tavern in its place.
—Matthew Geiger, Denver Post, 7 Feb. 2026
But several months later, construction crews tore down the East Wing and colonnade, as well as the Jacqueline Kennedy Garden.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 2 Feb. 2026
The group of artists, which was led by then-couple Michael Townsend and Adriana Valdez-Young, came up with the plan after real estate developers tore down their artists' commune about a mile away from what would become the mall.
—Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 27 Jan. 2026
During the demonstrations for racial justice in 2020, protestors across the country defaced and tore down statues of Washington, arguing that enslavers should be reviled, not honored.
—John Garrison Marks, Time, 23 Jan. 2026
Beyond the Luddites, rioters destroyed threshing machines in 1830, Welsh protesters tore down turnpike tollgates in the 1840s.
—Craig S. Smith, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
The Free Press reports the Detroit Land Bank Authority is separately investigating another demolition contractor who allegedly tore down several homes and buried the debris under layers of backfill dirt instead of properly disposing of the materials.
—Violet Ikonomova, Freep.com, 12 Jan. 2026
All six members of the Commission of Fine Arts -- the panel that is supposed to review this construction project -- were fired as crews tore down building's section.
—Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 31 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tore down
Verb
-
Hefner said the photos should be destroyed.—
City News Service,
Daily News,
18 Feb. 2026
-
And in the late 1980s, after Little Saigon found official recognition, freeway and street signs directing people to the community were frequently defaced and destroyed in disapproval, Hua said.—
Victoria Le,
Oc Register,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Even if there were sites that did not get preserved, or were demolished, there were debates over whether that should happen.—
Phaedra Trethan,
USA Today,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Willowcreek Middle School will remain until its replacement is ready for use, then demolished to make way for the rest of the project.—
Doug Ross,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
These liberals have ruined this state.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Simple fasting from food can be ruined — rendered not pleasing to Allah — if spoiled by telling lies, slander, denouncing someone behind his back, swearing a false oath, greed or covetousness.—
The Editorial Board,
Oc Register,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
An upper stage sprang a leak of liquid oxygen during a Starlink launch on July 11, 2024, causing the satellites to be deployed too low; they were soon pulled down into Earth's atmosphere by drag.—
Mike Wall,
Space.com,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Cearah Parchment had her third consecutive 20-point game and pulled down 10 rebounds to help Illinois secure the win.—
Haley Sawyer,
Oc Register,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Even the random animals — birds, deer, dogs, cats and, at one point, a peacock — the director encounters on her journeys around Negev seem to be shattered by years of bombing.—
Jordan Mintzer,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Pim Neill, a 6-year-old girl from Pittsburgh, shattered the Pennsylvania state record by selling more than 81,000 boxes of cookies, the most ever sold in a single season.—
Josh Taylor,
CBS News,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
But in one election, our state can be upended by the failed socialist policies that have wrecked other states.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Ingvartsen, 30, has worked back from injuries that wrecked his 2025 season.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Whitaker and Perlah, who know about Louie’s advanced liver disease and see his care as routine, will be devastated to learn Louie is gone.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
13 Feb. 2026
-
See the aftermath from above Infrastructure devastated There have been reports of severe damage to the area's infrastructure, including the city's hospital, schools and businesses.—
Michelle Del Rey,
USA Today,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Jackson smashed the perception that a Black person couldn’t be a viable presidential candidate.—
John Blake,
CNN Money,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Ben Manenti smashed 60 off only 25 balls, with six sixes, as Italy threatened to chase down a target of 202-7 set by England in their Group C clash.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tore down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tore%20down. Accessed 19 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
