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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of torn down
The report said the parish did not provide reasoning for why the rectory should be torn down.
—
Cate Charron, IndyStar, 2 Oct. 2025
The company in February 2016 had torn down the three historic Green Gables apartments, built in 1927 by architect Nelle Peters, after the buildings, west of the Country Club Plaza, had fallen into disrepair.
—Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 30 Sep. 2025
It was torn down in 1985, ultimately replaced by mixed-use development.
—Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Sep. 2025
Artificial turf was laid on Boguski Field over the offseason, and the old bleachers were torn down.
—Mike Organ, Nashville Tennessean, 29 Sep. 2025
Von said there are elements of Hollywood fame that scare him, including a cycle where people are built up and then torn down.
—Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 25 Sep. 2025
Beloved establishments torn down made way for parks, apartments and space for a sprawling interstate system.
—Leo Bertucci, Louisville Courier Journal, 20 Sep. 2025
In 1953, Ford opened the PDC — which was torn down in 2020 to make room for the new world headquarters center.
—Jamie L. Lareau, USA Today, 18 Sep. 2025
The last remaining original structure was torn down in 1993.
—Julie Tremaine, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Cate Charron, IndyStar, 2 Oct. 2025
The company in February 2016 had torn down the three historic Green Gables apartments, built in 1927 by architect Nelle Peters, after the buildings, west of the Country Club Plaza, had fallen into disrepair.
—Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 30 Sep. 2025
It was torn down in 1985, ultimately replaced by mixed-use development.
—Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Sep. 2025
Artificial turf was laid on Boguski Field over the offseason, and the old bleachers were torn down.
—Mike Organ, Nashville Tennessean, 29 Sep. 2025
Von said there are elements of Hollywood fame that scare him, including a cycle where people are built up and then torn down.
—Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 25 Sep. 2025
Beloved establishments torn down made way for parks, apartments and space for a sprawling interstate system.
—Leo Bertucci, Louisville Courier Journal, 20 Sep. 2025
In 1953, Ford opened the PDC — which was torn down in 2020 to make room for the new world headquarters center.
—Jamie L. Lareau, USA Today, 18 Sep. 2025
The last remaining original structure was torn down in 1993.
—Julie Tremaine, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for torn down
Verb
-
Though most of his property was destroyed in the fire, a carnival operator named Bunny Gibbons bought Gein's car and charged 25 cents for people to view it until authorities shut down the operation.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
7 Oct. 2025
-
The Gaza Strip itself has been nearly leveled, with the United Nations estimating 78% of structures having been damaged or destroyed, leaving a monumental task of rebuilding for whoever will govern the enclave next.—
Emily Feng,
NPR,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The West Fond du Lac Avenue bar, which was once a popular hangout for Black musicians and Milwaukee police officers alike, was demolished in April.—
Mary Spicuzza,
jsonline.com,
6 Oct. 2025
-
The Jokake Inn closed in the late 1970s and was demolished, except for its Pueblo revival-style belfry towers, which were incorporated into The Phoenician.—
Douglas C. Towne,
AZCentral.com,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
All the problems getting into the ground ruined the trip a bit.—
James Pearce,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
-
In 1950s Washington, the moral entrepreneurs were members of Congress and expert witnesses who labeled people Soviet collaborators and ruined many of their lives.—
Ron Barrett,
The Conversation,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Fitzpatrick, who pulled down his first interception of the season, spent most of the game playing nickel cornerback.—
Omar Kelly
Updated October 5,
Miami Herald,
5 Oct. 2025
-
In a little more than two days, the surf pulled down eight unoccupied houses along the shoreline.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
This once-passing fad, never projected by the originators or detractors to make it this far, had smashed every measurable and monetizable metric over the last half century.—
Rodney Carmichael,
NPR,
1 Oct. 2025
-
At least four people were killed and eight injured when a gunman in a pickup truck smashed through the doors of a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints chapel in Michigan during a Sunday service attended by hundreds, opened fire and set the building ablaze.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Atlanta Braves Speaking of injuries, the fragile nature of the human body really wrecked Brian Snitker’s swan song.—
Levi Weaver,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
-
America will be watching Monday night’s early game, perhaps in much the same way traffic can’t help but slow to watch two cars that have just wrecked.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Each episode explores how Taylor shattered Hollywood’s glass ceiling, built a billion-dollar business empire, and transformed celebrity activism through her pioneering work in the fight against HIV/AIDS.—
Peter White,
Deadline,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Jeff sustained a gunshot wound that shattered his ankle, receiving two surgeries to remove the bullet and leather from his foot.—
Natalie Davies,
Freep.com,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The Inter Milan footballing midfield maestro, and his wife Sinem, have teamed up to announce the creation of the Çalhanoğlu Forest, an initiative that will see 10,000 saplings (young trees) planted in the Aydın Province of Kuşadası, which was devastated by wildfires in June 2024.—
William Jones,
USA Today,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Still, the damage is done, and Ka-young is devastated by the death of her grandmother.—
Kayti Burt,
Time,
3 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Torn down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/torn%20down. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share