1
as in to destroy
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 to demolish
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 tear down
July 11 Excision Without Broomfield’s FirstBank Center to fill (that EDM-favorite venue was recently torn down), this electronic-music heavyweight is turning to a pair of nights at Fiddler’s — with a potential 36,000 fans in attendance across both shows.
—
John Wenzel, Denver Post, 30 Apr. 2025
Spence said Casey’s plans to tear down and replace the existing fence, but did not say at what height.
—Marie Wilson, Chicago Tribune, 9 May 2025
As a result, homes and municipal buildings have aged and deteriorated but were not torn down and replaced.
—Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 9 May 2025
And by treating global affairs like a transactional hustle, the United States risks tearing down the very system that has kept the peace for generations.
—Michael Beckley, Foreign Affairs, 16 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tear down
John Wenzel, Denver Post, 30 Apr. 2025
Spence said Casey’s plans to tear down and replace the existing fence, but did not say at what height.
—Marie Wilson, Chicago Tribune, 9 May 2025
As a result, homes and municipal buildings have aged and deteriorated but were not torn down and replaced.
—Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 9 May 2025
And by treating global affairs like a transactional hustle, the United States risks tearing down the very system that has kept the peace for generations.
—Michael Beckley, Foreign Affairs, 16 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tear down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tear down
Verb
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The Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected a plea from a group of Native American activists and supporters to block a copper mining company from destroying an Apache religious site.—
Jack Birle,
The Washington Examiner,
27 May 2025
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During the week of my embed, the Russian military identified and destroyed a few of the Vampire pilots’ positions.—
Nataliya Gumenyuk,
The Atlantic,
27 May 2025
Verb
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Facing greater competition and sensing more opportunity, the owners decided to close the hotel at the end of May and demolish the building next year.—
Vinod Sreeharsha,
Miami Herald,
20 May 2025
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Its current office building in the area would be demolished.—
Chris Higgins,
Kansas City Star,
20 May 2025
Verb
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However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.—
Tanasia Kenney,
Miami Herald,
22 May 2025
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Thessaloniki, Greece Greece is an iconic travel destination with ancient history, ruins steeped in lore, and picture-perfect Mediterranean beaches.—
Kathleen Peddicord,
Forbes.com,
21 May 2025
Verb
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Gillis then fails to pull down Hernandez's pants, prompting Sherman, Hernandez, and himself to burst into laughter.—
Wesley Stenzel,
EW.com,
21 May 2025
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Supporters at one of his rallies pulled down a Ukrainian flag from city hall in Biala Podlaska.—
Vanessa Gera,
Los Angeles Times,
19 May 2025
Verb
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But the illusion of paradise is shattered when another guest is found dead and Gabriel becomes the prime suspect.—
Laura Thompson,
New York Times,
22 May 2025
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The event shattered the records for participation in a online chess game, passing the previous record of 70,000 set for the ‘Vishy vs. The World’ last year.—
Ben Morse,
CNN Money,
21 May 2025
Verb
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His cabin was a few miles south of the one the bear wrecked for for me, closer to the fringe of settlement.—
Ted Updike,
Outdoor Life,
22 May 2025
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That meant late nights, early wake-ups, work events, and heels that wreck your feet, plus years of jet lag from endless travel.—
Jessica Sibley,
Time,
19 May 2025
Verb
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Sand, breeze blocks, storm shutters—these are materials of survival and exclusion, shaped by the hurricanes that regularly devastate her homeland.—
Nargess Banks,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2025
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The Trump administration granted Syria sweeping exemptions from sanctions Friday in a big first step toward fulfilling the president’s pledge to lift a half-century of penalties on a country devastated by civil war.—
Abby Sewell,
Chicago Tribune,
23 May 2025
Verb
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The crash came a little over a year after the Dali, a 984-foot-long cargo ship, lost power while departing Baltimore’s harbor and smashed into the Key Bridge, killing six people and destroying critical infrastructure.—
N'dea Yancey-Bragg,
USA Today,
19 May 2025
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Devers stepped to the plate with a tie score and smashed a 2-1 breaking ball to deep right-center over the bullpen wall, propelling the Red Sox to a 7-6 victory over the Atlanta Braves.—
Jen McCaffrey,
New York Times,
18 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tear down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tear%20down. Accessed 2 Jun. 2025.
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