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
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
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
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tore down
Verb
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Well, Federer just destroyed him — 6-1, 6-4 in about 50 minutes — and that left a lot of time to fill.—
Patrick McEnroe,
New York Times,
28 Jan. 2026
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The fire killed two people, destroyed 1,084 homes and businesses and did more than $2 billion in property damage.—
Judith Kohler,
Denver Post,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The apartments will replace a vacant lot that once held Community Christian Church, which was demolished in 2022.—
Chris Higgins,
Kansas City Star,
12 Jan. 2026
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Israel has demolished more than 2,500 buildings in Gaza since the cease-fire began, according to a New York Times analysis of satellite imagery from Planet Labs.—
Samuel Granados,
New York Times,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Frankly, this ruined my birthday for me for the next forty years.—
Gaby Iori
January 27,
Literary Hub,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Knowing what not to wash together can save plenty of headaches (and ruined garments and linens) down the line.—
Jamie Cuccinelli,
Martha Stewart,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Syrian government forces moved in to secure the camp a day later but, in the meantime, fences had been pulled down and dozens of prisoners had escaped.—
Chas Newkey-Burden,
TheWeek,
23 Jan. 2026
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Ezra Ausar added 17 points and Jacob Cofie pulled down 12 rebounds to go with nine points.—
Haley Sawyer,
Oc Register,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
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But the small-town-like tranquility that runs deep through this city of neighborhoods has been shattered in recent weeks.—
Alicia Wallace,
CNN Money,
24 Jan. 2026
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According to the police report, Boise Police Officer Cameron Kolos approached Galane and Idaho Potato Drop CEO Dylan Cline after the fireworks show, informing them that the windows at the AT&T building had shattered.—
Nicole Blanchard,
Idaho Statesman,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Then her son wrecked her Acura.—
Chris Isidore,
CNN Money,
27 Jan. 2026
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Having to face Williams, who routinely wrecked the line of scrimmage against the Texans, would be a heck of a welcome back.—
Nick Kosmider,
New York Times,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
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When 30-year-old Youssif Naim went missing earlier this month, leading to a community-wide search that ended when his body was found near Hines Park, like many others, Yasmeen Hamed was devastated.—
Veronica Ortega,
CBS News,
25 Jan. 2026
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Needless to say, at this time we are all devastated and simply trying to cope with this tragic news.—
Marc Berman,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Pageau smashed home his second goal late in the third to finish off a listless Flyers team.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
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Cook 3 garlic cloves, smashed, ⅓ cup mild honey, ⅓ cup white wine vinegar, 3 Tbsp.—
Shilpa Uskokovic,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tore down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tore%20down. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
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