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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of tear down
Data and forecasting firm S&P Global Mobility reports there are on average 20,000 parts in a vehicle when it is torn down to its nuts and bolts.
—
Michele Luhn, CNBC, 27 Mar. 2025
The next year, during Soundgarden, the audience tore down part of the wooden fence surrounding the theater and lit bonfires across the lawn.
—Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2025
Meister said the library will try to stay open as long as possible while the Gee Building is being torn down, for example.
—Eric Duvall, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Mar. 2025
The empty space was later torn down to the studs before it was rebuilt.
—Andrew Keatts, Axios, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tear down
Michele Luhn, CNBC, 27 Mar. 2025
The next year, during Soundgarden, the audience tore down part of the wooden fence surrounding the theater and lit bonfires across the lawn.
—Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2025
Meister said the library will try to stay open as long as possible while the Gee Building is being torn down, for example.
—Eric Duvall, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Mar. 2025
The empty space was later torn down to the studs before it was rebuilt.
—Andrew Keatts, Axios, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tear down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tear down
Verb
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Meanwhile, over 100 government offices and other structures have been forced to shut their doors, relocate or have been destroyed.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
25 Mar. 2025
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Worthy sues ex-fiancée Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy accused his ex-fiancee of theft and extortion in a lawsuit, obtained by The Athletic yesterday, which alleges that Tia Jones stole and destroyed money and personal property belonging to Worthy.—
Chris Branch,
The Athletic,
25 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The city never demolished the building.—
Desiree Mathurin,
Charlotte Observer,
25 Mar. 2025
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The improbable return of Miami Beach’s iconic Deauville Hotel, demolished by implosion in 2022, has come one big step closer to becoming reality.—
Andres Viglucci,
Miami Herald,
23 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Curtis left her job as a deputy in August 2023 and sued the county soon after, claiming in court documents that Anderson’s harassment ruined her reputation and career with the county.—
Mary Divine,
Twin Cities,
4 Apr. 2025
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The problem lies once kids become tech savvy and a simple Google search can ruin the fun.—
Melissa Willets,
Parents,
4 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The best ones have an attachment mechanism that is hard to pull down, so babies don’t accidentally hurt themselves.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Apr. 2025
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It’s lodged high above the catwalks in Nationwide Arena, too high for arena workers to snatch and pull down.—
Aaron Portzline,
New York Times,
13 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Over the past year, women’s sports have shattered viewership records.—
Cheryl Robinson,
Forbes.com,
4 Apr. 2025
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Come October, the sound of a puck skimming across ice and players crashing into the boards surrounding a hockey rink may shatter the 2 1/2-year silence.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
3 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Part of the franchise’s challenge is to incorporate Leonard without wrecking team chemistry.—
Fluto Shinzawa,
New York Times,
2 Apr. 2025
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At least 6 people were killed in the storms in multiple states as destructive winds wrecked cars, tore down powerlines and sent people scrambling.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2025
Verb
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On March 6, Sadia Raja was devastated to learn from a neighbor that her pet of 3 1/2 years, Carrot, was killed by a speeding car near her home in the Italian Villages section of Coral Gables, a historic neighborhood near Coral Gables Senior High inspired by Italian farm houses.—
Devoun Cetoute,
Miami Herald,
14 Mar. 2025
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The deadly storm devastated parts of Western North Carolina with storm damage and catastrophic flooding.—
Simone Jasper,
Charlotte Observer,
14 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Kamikaze sank their first ship on Oct. 25, 1944, when a navy Zero pilot smashed into the USS St. Lo in the Philippine Sea while carrying a pair of 550-pound bombs.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
11 Apr. 2025
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Raphinha gets the ball in space and smashes home from the edge of the box.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
9 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tear down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tear%20down. Accessed 18 Apr. 2025.
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