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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of torn down
The area increased to 80% by 2018, according to state media, after numerous buildings and city walls were restored, and 135 temporary structures inside the compound were torn down.
—
Fred He, CNN Money, 6 Nov. 2025
Once demolition got underway, Jonathan updated that the entire East Wing was torn down in two days.
—Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 2 Nov. 2025
When the country’s noblest values are being torn down with a wrecking ball, Gunn is earnestly telling stories that try to build them up, insisting that in a time of rising despair, hope is still punk rock.
—Matt Zoller Seitz, Vulture, 31 Oct. 2025
Just 28% of Americans support it, with 15% strongly supporting the East Wing being torn down for a ballroom, the poll found.
—Emily Guskin, ABC News, 30 Oct. 2025
Shortly after the release of this movie, the real Gonjiam Psychiatric Hospital was torn down.
—Katie Rife, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Oct. 2025
After the fall of Hungary’s Communist dictatorship, dozens of decommissioned monuments were sent to Budapest’s Memento Park, including the boots from an enormous statue of Stalin, which had been torn down by irate crowds.
—Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2025
Even if the case proceeds, most of the East Wing has already been torn down, making a work stoppage largely symbolic.
—Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
Now the East Wing has been largely torn down.
—Marco Hernandez, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
Fred He, CNN Money, 6 Nov. 2025
Once demolition got underway, Jonathan updated that the entire East Wing was torn down in two days.
—Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 2 Nov. 2025
When the country’s noblest values are being torn down with a wrecking ball, Gunn is earnestly telling stories that try to build them up, insisting that in a time of rising despair, hope is still punk rock.
—Matt Zoller Seitz, Vulture, 31 Oct. 2025
Just 28% of Americans support it, with 15% strongly supporting the East Wing being torn down for a ballroom, the poll found.
—Emily Guskin, ABC News, 30 Oct. 2025
Shortly after the release of this movie, the real Gonjiam Psychiatric Hospital was torn down.
—Katie Rife, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Oct. 2025
After the fall of Hungary’s Communist dictatorship, dozens of decommissioned monuments were sent to Budapest’s Memento Park, including the boots from an enormous statue of Stalin, which had been torn down by irate crowds.
—Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2025
Even if the case proceeds, most of the East Wing has already been torn down, making a work stoppage largely symbolic.
—Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
Now the East Wing has been largely torn down.
—Marco Hernandez, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for torn down
Verb
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The Palisades fire killed 12 people and destroyed more than 6,000 structures, becoming the third-most destructive fire in state history.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 Jan. 2026
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One year after the Palisades Fire leveled entire neighborhoods and destroyed thousands of homes, one Malibu resident is stepping up to help rebuild his community with his architectural expertise.—
Luzdelia Caballero,
CBS News,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In 2024, the abanonded LaGrave Field baseball stadium was demolished.—
Fousia Abdullahi,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 Nov. 2025
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The tall high-rise buildings not demolished in Gaza City are seen in the far distance.—
Daniel Estrin,
NPR,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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However her past experiences haven't ruined the actress' trips back home.—
Ralphie Aversa,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
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That’s why his mistress threw in with Frank to intimidate Dale into a land deal that would have ruined any chance of Chutto’s family ever getting their land back.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Just as Victor appeared to break open, Jackson leaped into the air, stretched his right arm skyward and pulled down a dazzling one-handed catch at the 3-yard line.—
The Athletic College Football Staff,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
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However, questions about the Pike statue in the nation's capital were raised years before it was pulled down.—
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Other Black residents’ windshields were smashed.—
Equal Justice Initiative,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
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Last night, tech giants like AMD smashed expectations on AI chip demand, and Palantir reported another quarter of strong growth.—
Lim Hui Jie,
CNBC,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Phillips croons about a mother’s bond with her child as Swinton walks off, her character freshly wrecked by a visit with her son in prison.—
Shirley Li,
The Atlantic,
6 Nov. 2025
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The Edmund Fitzgerald remains the largest of all the ships wrecked or sunk by bad weather in the Great Lakes.—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
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By the afternoon, the store had reopened, but the front door's glass remained shattered, with a large banner placed in front of the entrance, the local station reported.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
7 Jan. 2026
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The Kohbergers’ pride in Bryan was shattered by the revelation that he was suspected of and later admitted to the slaughter.—
Theresa Braine,
Mercury News,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
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After it was revealed that Vince didn't make it out of the inferno, his son Bode (Max Thieriot) and wife Sharon (Diane Farr) were devastated by the loss.—
Christopher Rudolph,
PEOPLE,
7 Nov. 2025
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The war has devastated parts of Ukraine’s medical infrastructure.—
Ciara McCarthy,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Torn down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/torn%20down. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026.
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