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 89-minute running time doesn’t allow much exposition, and in fact the opening sequence shows a veterinarian coming to treat a sickly Ben before having his face viciously torn off.
—
Pete Hammond, Deadline, 8 Jan. 2026
While nothing was broken or torn as a result of the hit, the contusion to his quad muscle was so severe that Hunt couldn’t walk for the next two weeks.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 8 Jan. 2026
The front and back decks and interior stairwell had to be torn out and rebuilt.
—Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 6 Jan. 2026
Christen Press, a two-time World Cup champion, torn the ligament in her right knee eight games into her first season with Angel City and needed four operations to repair the damage.
—Los Angeles Times, 6 Jan. 2026
Would love to see Dre Greenlaw get another shot at a Super Bowl after the heartbreak and torn Achilles in Las Vegas.
—Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 6 Jan. 2026
Toss items that are worn, torn, or stained and set aside unwanted clothing in good repair to donate.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 2 Jan. 2026
Alexander suffered a season-ending torn PCL in his right knee in 2024.
—Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 5 Nov. 2025
Acuña has since won an MVP Award, but has also torn his ACL again.
—Aaliyan Mohammed, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
Pete Hammond, Deadline, 8 Jan. 2026
While nothing was broken or torn as a result of the hit, the contusion to his quad muscle was so severe that Hunt couldn’t walk for the next two weeks.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 8 Jan. 2026
The front and back decks and interior stairwell had to be torn out and rebuilt.
—Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 6 Jan. 2026
Christen Press, a two-time World Cup champion, torn the ligament in her right knee eight games into her first season with Angel City and needed four operations to repair the damage.
—Los Angeles Times, 6 Jan. 2026
Would love to see Dre Greenlaw get another shot at a Super Bowl after the heartbreak and torn Achilles in Las Vegas.
—Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 6 Jan. 2026
Toss items that are worn, torn, or stained and set aside unwanted clothing in good repair to donate.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 2 Jan. 2026
Alexander suffered a season-ending torn PCL in his right knee in 2024.
—Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 5 Nov. 2025
Acuña has since won an MVP Award, but has also torn his ACL again.
—Aaliyan Mohammed, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for torn
Verb
-
Sir Jimmy is obsessed with the television of his childhood, before his reality was ripped limb from limb.—
Katie Walsh,
Boston Herald,
15 Jan. 2026
-
Mend loose or ripped seams before cleaning to retain the coat's shape and to keep the fill from coming out.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
The Spruce,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Jazzy Davidson scored all of her 12 points in the first quarter on a poor shooting night (5 for 23 from the field), grabbed five boards and dished out five assists.—
Haley Sawyer,
Oc Register,
16 Jan. 2026
-
Towns scored 17 and grabbed 20 rebounds for New York, while Mikal Bridges scored 21 and OG Anunoby scored 25.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
16 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The Toyota crashed, and the Charger sped away, according to court records.—
Ben Wheeler,
Kansas City Star,
10 Jan. 2026
-
His arm was pinned into the back window of a car as a suspect sped away, dragging him across the pavement for about 100 yards, according to court documents.—
Allison Gordon,
CNN Money,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Officer Alex Millan then yanked open the passenger door of the suspects’ car; at the same time, the car drove forward over the curb.—
Bay Area News Group,
Mercury News,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Furious too that anyone could think the defender had deliberately yanked the striker’s hair.—
Greg O'Keeffe,
New York Times,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Moore took a few steps to his left before pitching the ball to fellow receiver Jauan Jennings, who raced to his right as if to run.—
Michael Silver,
New York Times,
12 Jan. 2026
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The Hurricanes raced to a 9-0 lead on back-to-back dunks by freshman Shelton Henderson, extended the gap to 17-4 and led 47-33 at halftime.—
Michelle Kaufman,
Miami Herald,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Then Barnes snatched all three points with the latest winning goal in a Premier League game Opta has on record (since 2006-07).—
Chris Waugh,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
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The dictator who imprisoned and tortured Venezuelan politicians, activists, and ordinary people was snatched from his bed and put on an American plane with his wife, Cilia Flores.—
Gisela Salim-Peyer,
The Atlantic,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Trendy Accents Staub is also not a fan of any accessories that lean too trend-forward or influencer-driven.—
Sarah Lyon,
The Spruce,
11 Jan. 2026
-
Both campgrounds can be driven to and have RV and tent sites.—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Then, a crisis involving a family friend named Evelyn Chang pulled him back into action.—
Ernestine Siu,
CNBC,
15 Jan. 2026
-
Mini Kim and mini Khloé pulled a switcheroo with their T-shirts — a favorite pastime of theirs, according to Khloé, who posted this adorable pic.—
Andrea Wurzburger,
PEOPLE,
15 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Torn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/torn. Accessed 16 Jan. 2026.
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