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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of tore down
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
The Madison Avenue office served as JPMorgan’s temporary headquarters while 270 Park was going up (the bank tore down its old headquarters to build 270, taking advantage of the Midtown East rezoning to go bigger).
—Kim Velsey, Curbed, 9 Oct. 2025
Falvey and Zoll got promotions off last year’s collapse, made no big offseason moves, tore down the roster months after picking up Baldelli’s option and then fired the manager when the team predictably limped to the finish line once the front office hoisted the white flag on July 31.
—Aaron Gleeman, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
There was also a large protest at UCSD on May 6, 2024, when authorities, at Khosla’s request, tore down a pro-Palestinian encampment on Library Walk, near Geisel Library.
—Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Sep. 2025
Because under the Biden administration, the FDA tore down nearly every safety regulation surrounding the drug.
—Lila Rose, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025
The occupiers tore down fences, carved new roads on the reserve and posted armed guards during their 41-day occupation, former Idaho Statesman reporter Rocky Barker wrote at the time.
—Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 7 Sep. 2025
The doc by Nim Shapira focuses on the street war that broke out between pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian groups that tore down each other’s messages about the 250 hostages taken by Hamas during the October 7 terror attack in Israel.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 5 Sep. 2025
James tore down the woodshed and devised a trellis system of wooden poles and metal pipes that could be expanded as the rose tree continued to grow.
—Olivia Rose, AZCentral.com, 14 Aug. 2025
Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 31 Oct. 2025
The Madison Avenue office served as JPMorgan’s temporary headquarters while 270 Park was going up (the bank tore down its old headquarters to build 270, taking advantage of the Midtown East rezoning to go bigger).
—Kim Velsey, Curbed, 9 Oct. 2025
Falvey and Zoll got promotions off last year’s collapse, made no big offseason moves, tore down the roster months after picking up Baldelli’s option and then fired the manager when the team predictably limped to the finish line once the front office hoisted the white flag on July 31.
—Aaron Gleeman, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
There was also a large protest at UCSD on May 6, 2024, when authorities, at Khosla’s request, tore down a pro-Palestinian encampment on Library Walk, near Geisel Library.
—Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Sep. 2025
Because under the Biden administration, the FDA tore down nearly every safety regulation surrounding the drug.
—Lila Rose, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025
The occupiers tore down fences, carved new roads on the reserve and posted armed guards during their 41-day occupation, former Idaho Statesman reporter Rocky Barker wrote at the time.
—Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 7 Sep. 2025
The doc by Nim Shapira focuses on the street war that broke out between pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian groups that tore down each other’s messages about the 250 hostages taken by Hamas during the October 7 terror attack in Israel.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 5 Sep. 2025
James tore down the woodshed and devised a trellis system of wooden poles and metal pipes that could be expanded as the rose tree continued to grow.
—Olivia Rose, AZCentral.com, 14 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tore down
Verb
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The Palisades fire killed 12 people and destroyed more than 6,000 structures, becoming the third-most destructive fire in state history.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 Jan. 2026
-
One year after the Palisades Fire leveled entire neighborhoods and destroyed thousands of homes, one Malibu resident is stepping up to help rebuild his community with his architectural expertise.—
Luzdelia Caballero,
CBS News,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In 2024, the abanonded LaGrave Field baseball stadium was demolished.—
Fousia Abdullahi,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 Nov. 2025
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The tall high-rise buildings not demolished in Gaza City are seen in the far distance.—
Daniel Estrin,
NPR,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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However her past experiences haven't ruined the actress' trips back home.—
Ralphie Aversa,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
-
That’s why his mistress threw in with Frank to intimidate Dale into a land deal that would have ruined any chance of Chutto’s family ever getting their land back.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Just as Victor appeared to break open, Jackson leaped into the air, stretched his right arm skyward and pulled down a dazzling one-handed catch at the 3-yard line.—
The Athletic College Football Staff,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
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However, questions about the Pike statue in the nation's capital were raised years before it was pulled down.—
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
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By the afternoon, the store had reopened, but the front door's glass remained shattered, with a large banner placed in front of the entrance, the local station reported.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
7 Jan. 2026
-
The Kohbergers’ pride in Bryan was shattered by the revelation that he was suspected of and later admitted to the slaughter.—
Theresa Braine,
Mercury News,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Phillips croons about a mother’s bond with her child as Swinton walks off, her character freshly wrecked by a visit with her son in prison.—
Shirley Li,
The Atlantic,
6 Nov. 2025
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The Edmund Fitzgerald remains the largest of all the ships wrecked or sunk by bad weather in the Great Lakes.—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
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After it was revealed that Vince didn't make it out of the inferno, his son Bode (Max Thieriot) and wife Sharon (Diane Farr) were devastated by the loss.—
Christopher Rudolph,
PEOPLE,
7 Nov. 2025
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The war has devastated parts of Ukraine’s medical infrastructure.—
Ciara McCarthy,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Other Black residents’ windshields were smashed.—
Equal Justice Initiative,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
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Last night, tech giants like AMD smashed expectations on AI chip demand, and Palantir reported another quarter of strong growth.—
Lim Hui Jie,
CNBC,
5 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tore down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tore%20down. Accessed 8 Jan. 2026.
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