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
Relevance
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
In 2021, disaster nearly erased the landmark entirely when a fire tore through much of the restaurant, heavily damaging the building.
—
Arkansas Online,
28 June 2026
In the hours after two earthquakes tore through northern Venezuela on the evening of June 24, the people pulling survivors from the rubble were, overwhelmingly, the survivors’ own neighbors.
—
Luis E. Romero,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2026
The city's Department of Building and Safety opened the probe on June 17, the same day a fire tore through dozens of solar panels on the roof of the 500,000-square-foot cold storage warehouse in Boyle Heights.
—
Josh Boswell,
CBS News,
26 June 2026
Brazile tore his right ACL in December 2022.
—
Bennett Durando,
Chicago Tribune,
25 June 2026
According to local authorities, the blaze tore through the 300 block of Front Street Wednesday evening, as residents on the block were advised to immediately exit their homes through the rear and stay clear of the area.
—
Kaitlyn McCormick,
USA Today,
25 June 2026
The May 28 fire tore through a dormitory housing 202 students at the Utumishi Girls School in central Kenya, and students were forced to flee through a single doorway when the school matron failed to open an emergency exit.
—
ABC News,
23 June 2026
Ultimately, the partnership didn’t work out, as Lillard tore his left Achilles tendon in the 2025 playoffs.
—
Eric Nehm,
New York Times,
23 June 2026
Multiple tornadoes tore through Illinois and Indiana Sunday, killing at least two people as severe thunderstorms continue to sweep through the Midwest early Monday, knocking out power for tens of thousands across the region.
—
Briana Waxman,
CNN Money,
22 June 2026
Arkansas Online,
28 June 2026
In the hours after two earthquakes tore through northern Venezuela on the evening of June 24, the people pulling survivors from the rubble were, overwhelmingly, the survivors’ own neighbors.
—
Luis E. Romero,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2026
The city's Department of Building and Safety opened the probe on June 17, the same day a fire tore through dozens of solar panels on the roof of the 500,000-square-foot cold storage warehouse in Boyle Heights.
—
Josh Boswell,
CBS News,
26 June 2026
Brazile tore his right ACL in December 2022.
—
Bennett Durando,
Chicago Tribune,
25 June 2026
According to local authorities, the blaze tore through the 300 block of Front Street Wednesday evening, as residents on the block were advised to immediately exit their homes through the rear and stay clear of the area.
—
Kaitlyn McCormick,
USA Today,
25 June 2026
The May 28 fire tore through a dormitory housing 202 students at the Utumishi Girls School in central Kenya, and students were forced to flee through a single doorway when the school matron failed to open an emergency exit.
—
ABC News,
23 June 2026
Ultimately, the partnership didn’t work out, as Lillard tore his left Achilles tendon in the 2025 playoffs.
—
Eric Nehm,
New York Times,
23 June 2026
Multiple tornadoes tore through Illinois and Indiana Sunday, killing at least two people as severe thunderstorms continue to sweep through the Midwest early Monday, knocking out power for tens of thousands across the region.
—
Briana Waxman,
CNN Money,
22 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tore
Verb
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Lineage, which describes itself as the world's largest owner of cold storage facilities, experienced a fire at another of its warehouses, in Finley, Washington, which ripped through the entire building and burned for two months in 2024.
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The lessons aren’t all that different from the great breadstick campaign of 2014, when Starboard’s Jeff Smith’s play at Olive Garden parent Darden literally ripped the company for undersalting its pasta water in an effort to save money on pots and pans.
Verb
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For the past couple of years, volunteers have cut grass, trimmed and yanked out invasive vines.
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Roberts quickly gave up a run-scoring single to Christian Yelich and was yanked with the bases loaded and no outs.
Verb
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Immigrants crowded waiting rooms and spilled into hallways as clerks raced to process around 100 people scheduled for an administrative hearing that morning.
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The Kansas City Royals raced out to a quick lead against the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday night at Kauffman Stadium.
Verb
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This is just one in a sweaty dungeon of hundreds of TikTok videos that show women being stalked, grabbed, tortured, tossed to the ground, and handcuffed by scary masked soldiers.
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Her mother asked what had just happened, and the girl related that Spencer had grabbed her.
Verb
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District Attorney Nathan Hochman said 33 vehicles safely drove past the area before Bickham sped down the freeway.
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Bill Gates and Warren Buffett sped things up with their Giving Pledge, asking billionaire signers to give away their money during their lifetimes.
Verb
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Henley wrenched away from her mother's grip, turned, and darted up the stairs again, leaving Emily and Kate in startled silence.
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As the plane twisted upward, the air pressure wrenched off another tail fin.
Verb
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Pip scurried over to take a seat on my foot.
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Lee, who had extended his hitting streak to 16 games the at-bat before, scurried back to first base.
Verb
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After the network successfully pulled together a motley crew of Real Housewives offspring and their Manhattan socialite friends last year, the gang is back for a second season in the city.
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Arraez pulled a 1-1 curveball from the Athletics’ Aaron Civale off the top of his right foot and collapsed to the ground in pain.
Cite this Entry
“Tore.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tore. Accessed 2 Jul. 2026.
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