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 grabbed
to separate or remove by forceful pulling
tore the book from his hand
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in sped
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 torn
The toy poses an even greater risk if it's been torn open.
—
Parents, 6 June 2026
The group, having created something like a new life amid adversity, actually felt torn about leaving their new home.
—Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 5 June 2026
The Canes have absolutely torn through the Eastern Conference en route to their third Cup Final appearance in franchise history.
—Matt Reigle, FOXNews.com, 3 June 2026
Berthet, however, is torn on whether the benefits of speaking with animals will outweigh potential harms.
—Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 3 June 2026
With the ballot almost set, some Republicans remain divided over whether to support Paxton, torn between loyalty to their party and ongoing controversies about him.
—Mateo Rosiles, USA Today, 3 June 2026
However, her albums can sound like a patchwork of impulses, torn between satiating her hardcore audience and designing a résumé for pop-radio rotation.
—Mosi Reeves, Rolling Stone, 1 June 2026
To minimize stress to young plants and root systems, look for seedlings grown in peat pots which can be torn from the root ball.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 31 May 2026
Hounded by a loud, impatient Eisenhower and faced with the very real evidence that a brutal trio of storms will make an early June invasion impossible, Stagg is torn between doing his duty and, well, doing his duty.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 29 May 2026
Parents, 6 June 2026
The group, having created something like a new life amid adversity, actually felt torn about leaving their new home.
—Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 5 June 2026
The Canes have absolutely torn through the Eastern Conference en route to their third Cup Final appearance in franchise history.
—Matt Reigle, FOXNews.com, 3 June 2026
Berthet, however, is torn on whether the benefits of speaking with animals will outweigh potential harms.
—Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 3 June 2026
With the ballot almost set, some Republicans remain divided over whether to support Paxton, torn between loyalty to their party and ongoing controversies about him.
—Mateo Rosiles, USA Today, 3 June 2026
However, her albums can sound like a patchwork of impulses, torn between satiating her hardcore audience and designing a résumé for pop-radio rotation.
—Mosi Reeves, Rolling Stone, 1 June 2026
To minimize stress to young plants and root systems, look for seedlings grown in peat pots which can be torn from the root ball.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 31 May 2026
Hounded by a loud, impatient Eisenhower and faced with the very real evidence that a brutal trio of storms will make an early June invasion impossible, Stagg is torn between doing his duty and, well, doing his duty.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 29 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for torn
Verb
-
The fire ripped through Hawthorne Village on May 11, forcing families to stay in hotels, motels and with other relatives.—
Tammy Mutasa,
CBS News,
4 June 2026
-
On the first pitch of his assignment, Lewis ripped a 91 mph cutter from Omaha’s Mitch Spence for a home run.—
Dan Hayes,
New York Times,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
He's also grabbed 10 rebounds and dished out 4 assists.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
4 June 2026
-
Spurs reserve Harrison Barnes accidentally collided with Brunson's right knee while falling to the floor, and the Knicks star immediately grabbed at the leg in apparent pain.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
These were signs the women could easily read as the air cooled and their hearts sped.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 June 2026
-
In the months that followed, investigators determined that Mackenzie, who was 17 years old at the time of the incident, intentionally sped up the car.—
Bailey Richards,
PEOPLE,
30 May 2026
Verb
-
Her only help came from a passenger who yanked the girls away.—
Caitlin McGlade,
Charlotte Observer,
2 June 2026
-
The theater was also immediately gutted, the audience chairs yanked out and flung into a pile in the middle of the studio.—
Theresa Braine,
New York Daily News,
22 May 2026
Verb
-
These two great rivals never raced each other again.—
Scott M. Reid,
Oc Register,
30 May 2026
-
After exchanging blows, the youngster raced on to a Djokovic drop shot before exquisitely returning with a faint backhand of his own, leaving his opponent with his hands on his knees in disbelief.—
Thomas Schlachter,
CNN Money,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
Varley then threw three cups of water and ice at the employee, snatched his nametag off his suit jacket and broke four glasses by dropping them on the floor, according to what staff told police in the affidavit.—
Silas Morgan,
The Orlando Sentinel,
5 June 2026
-
After Trevino got the cash, South snatched the marijuana quickly from him.—
Meredith Colias-Pete,
Chicago Tribune,
5 June 2026
Verb
-
In particular, the great outdoors are beckoning — trails can be hiked, streets can be walked, country roads can be driven.—
Ed Silverman,
STAT,
29 May 2026
-
Deloitte estimated a $23 million direct impact to the hospitality industry driven by Airbnb guests, as well as an additional $24 million in indirect financial gains and $23 million in induced gains.—
Irene Wright,
USA Today,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
Colorado pulled to 8-3 in the fifth on Tyler Freeman’s two-run homer, but the Angels answered again in the bottom half on Jo Adell’s RBI single for a 9-3 lead.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
-
The hood’s intake is mounted at the back, so smoke and fumes rising from the back burners get pulled straight up into it.—
Angela Haupt,
Time,
3 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Torn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/torn. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
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