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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of torn down
The East Wing was torn down in October 2025 to make way for the construction.
—
Joseph Konig, PEOPLE, 20 Apr. 2026
Now the venue is to be torn down later this year, the end to a destination just off the highway that was once full of televisions, betting counters and tables, and thick with the scent of afternoon and evening cocktails.
—Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 19 Apr. 2026
The plan would be to keep the fish house operating, but with protections to keep it from being torn down or renovated into something unrecognizable.
—Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 16 Apr. 2026
The shuttered Chez Artiste movie theater in Denver’s University Hills neighborhood may be torn down.
—Thomas Gounley, Denver Post, 13 Apr. 2026
Right now, government is being torn down, rather than built up.
—Judith Shulevitz, The Atlantic, 9 Apr. 2026
Dozens of homes on either side of the road were torn down to make way for the road.
—Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 5 Apr. 2026
Though some have been torn down and replaced by new and more exciting attractions, others have survived.
—John Haddad, The Conversation, 3 Apr. 2026
Beams left exposed across ceilings and the treads of a floating staircase are yellow pine pulled from a warehouse in Brooklyn that had been torn down.
—Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 2 Apr. 2026
Joseph Konig, PEOPLE, 20 Apr. 2026
Now the venue is to be torn down later this year, the end to a destination just off the highway that was once full of televisions, betting counters and tables, and thick with the scent of afternoon and evening cocktails.
—Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 19 Apr. 2026
The plan would be to keep the fish house operating, but with protections to keep it from being torn down or renovated into something unrecognizable.
—Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 16 Apr. 2026
The shuttered Chez Artiste movie theater in Denver’s University Hills neighborhood may be torn down.
—Thomas Gounley, Denver Post, 13 Apr. 2026
Right now, government is being torn down, rather than built up.
—Judith Shulevitz, The Atlantic, 9 Apr. 2026
Dozens of homes on either side of the road were torn down to make way for the road.
—Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 5 Apr. 2026
Though some have been torn down and replaced by new and more exciting attractions, others have survived.
—John Haddad, The Conversation, 3 Apr. 2026
Beams left exposed across ceilings and the treads of a floating staircase are yellow pine pulled from a warehouse in Brooklyn that had been torn down.
—Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 2 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for torn down
Verb
-
While in the region, Curiosity recently utilized its onboard Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) instrument suite, built to search for compounds of the element carbon that are associated with life and investigate ways in which these compounds are generated and destroyed in the Martian ecosphere.—
Leonard David,
Space.com,
21 Apr. 2026
-
That investigation stemmed from a June 8, 1995, fire that destroyed a ValuJet DC-9 on a runway at Atlanta.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
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But part of the deal involves the purchase of the adjacent Blue Cross and Blue Shield building (to be demolished) along with its parking.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
19 Apr. 2026
-
Xfinity Mobile Arena, which broke ground in 1994 and opened in 1996, would be demolished once the new arena is completed.—
Tom Dougherty,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The City of Fort Lauderdale has been in need of a new city hall after the historic flooding of April 2023 ruined its old city hall.—
Amanda Rosa,
Miami Herald,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Meanwhile, the everyday American who borrowed in good faith has been pursued, garnished and financially ruined when things go wrong, while the universities that pocketed the money walk away without consequence.—
Michael Carbonara,
Sun Sentinel,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The handcuffs were removed, and one of the men pulled down my sleeves to cover the cuts and bruises on my arms.—
Shelly Kittleson,
The Atlantic,
23 Apr. 2026
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Just over an hour later, authorities say Robsinon pulled down the pants and underwear of a female victim inside a market near Mason Avenue and Sherman Away, recorded her on his cellphone then fled.—
Joseph Serna,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
For instance, a concrete bridge is there forever until it is smashed into dust.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Suspects cased stores, then, after closing time, smashed windows and headed straight to the highest-value Lego sets.—
Howard Blume,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Otherwise, your household rhythm can be wrecked, and other problems ensue.—
Harriette Cole,
Mercury News,
18 Apr. 2026
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If Yankee Stadium was the house that Babe Ruth built, Coors is the house that Ohtani wrecked.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The project offers an insightful look at Odom, a gifted athlete and former star on the Los Angeles Lakers whose championship career was shattered by multiple personal demons and addiction.—
Yvonne Villarreal,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Apr. 2026
-
The impact shattered the glass door instantly, sending debris flying and abruptly ending the standoff.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
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But Perez, Vargas and Blanco were devastated by the decision to let Braddy live.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
11 Apr. 2026
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But the loss of those extra property tax dollars devastated cities, which had been scrambling since Proposition 13 put the brakes on property tax increases.—
Teri Sforza,
Oc Register,
10 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Torn down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/torn%20down. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.
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