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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of torn down
Caruso said the ruins should be torn down.
—
Roger Vincent, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2026
Preserve heritage Carranza and the neighbors were concerned about a 101-year-old home being torn down and the more than 10 trees surrounding the property.
—Dallas Morning News, 8 Jan. 2026
In the early 1970s, all the buildings in the two blocks just north and east of the Stadium Arena were torn down, according to the Stock Show, including a three-story horse barn, the Hollis and Platt cattle barn, the Lamont Pavilion, and the Burlington Railroad warehouse.
—John Wenzel, Denver Post, 7 Jan. 2026
When police and municipal authorities came to count the people who would need to be resettled and whose homes would need be torn down, residents did not cooperate.
—Saumya Roy, The Dial, 6 Jan. 2026
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
Roger Vincent, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2026
Preserve heritage Carranza and the neighbors were concerned about a 101-year-old home being torn down and the more than 10 trees surrounding the property.
—Dallas Morning News, 8 Jan. 2026
In the early 1970s, all the buildings in the two blocks just north and east of the Stadium Arena were torn down, according to the Stock Show, including a three-story horse barn, the Hollis and Platt cattle barn, the Lamont Pavilion, and the Burlington Railroad warehouse.
—John Wenzel, Denver Post, 7 Jan. 2026
When police and municipal authorities came to count the people who would need to be resettled and whose homes would need be torn down, residents did not cooperate.
—Saumya Roy, The Dial, 6 Jan. 2026
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
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
-
In 2024, the abanonded LaGrave Field baseball stadium was demolished.—
Fousia Abdullahi,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 Nov. 2025
-
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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McKenzie and Sebastian's decision to embrace the unexpected made their wedding even better when an opposite reaction to the rain could have ruined the whole celebration.—
Ashlyn Robinette,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
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But becoming the operator ruined the magic.—
Anna Rahmanan,
thehustle.co,
9 Jan. 2026
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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The engine compartment caught fire, so the agent smashed a window to help free her.—
Louis Casiano,
FOXNews.com,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Windows smashed, citizens detained, citizens shot.—
Sonja Sharp,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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But the Panthers could only score 10 points, as Denver’s fearsome pass rush wrecked Carolina’s best chance at a Super Bowl win.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
6 Jan. 2026
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McIndoe really wrecked the curve on this one.—
Sean Gentille,
New York Times,
3 Jan. 2026
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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Though not every gallery has reopened since hurricanes devastated the island, the community brought back the Matlacha Art Walk in 2025.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
11 Jan. 2026
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There had been an influx of increasingly cataclysmal news out of Gaza, and Ben Hania made efforts to stay as informed as possible, but Hind’s innocent voice devastated her anew.—
Sonia Rao,
Washington Post,
10 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Torn down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/torn%20down. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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