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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of tear down
In a country that still struggles to confront its racist legacy, nature seems to be doing what society won’t: tearing down relics of white supremacy.
—
Jameelah Nasheed, Essence, 29 May 2025
The impulse for the LPs came from Hayden hearing a fellow country singer tear down Springsteen in an interview, saying people should stop listening to him.
—Jed Gottlieb, Boston Herald, 17 May 2025
True innovation comes not from tearing down systems but from thoughtfully evolving them.
—Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 May 2025
Too impressive to tear down, the studio saved it for other productions to rent.
—Zoe Hewitt, Variety, 15 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for tear down
Jameelah Nasheed, Essence, 29 May 2025
The impulse for the LPs came from Hayden hearing a fellow country singer tear down Springsteen in an interview, saying people should stop listening to him.
—Jed Gottlieb, Boston Herald, 17 May 2025
True innovation comes not from tearing down systems but from thoughtfully evolving them.
—Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 May 2025
Too impressive to tear down, the studio saved it for other productions to rent.
—Zoe Hewitt, Variety, 15 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for tear down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tear down
Verb
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Another key feature of algae oil is its high smoke point of 535 degrees—the temperature at which oil begins to break down, release dangerous chemicals, and destroy its nutrients.—
Jonathan Purtell,
Verywell Health,
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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In 2012, Texas Wesleyan went to the city’s historic and cultural landmarks commission seeking permission to demolish the home for further campus expansion, but were denied.—
Brayden Garcia,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
6 June 2025
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Goldschmidt has demolished the NL Central in his career, with a slash line of .291/.388/.527 in almost 550 games played.—
Andrew Wright,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 June 2025
Verb
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The relationship between Ludovico and Silvia sparked deadly resentment—Ludovico feared Giorgio might expose the affair and ruin his reputation.—
Isabella Wandermurem,
Time,
3 June 2025
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But Foxx lamented how the producer ruined his legacy after being arrested in Manhattan last September following a grand jury indictment.—
Mekishana Pierre Published,
EW.com,
3 June 2025
Verb
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In the cable, first reported by POLITICO, Rubio said appointments that have already been scheduled can proceed under the current guidelines, but available appointments not already taken should be pulled down.—
Humeyra Pamuk,
USA Today,
28 May 2025
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Hagen, for his part, worries about liability for the neighborhood association if something goes wrong — in an extreme case, for example, if people protesting against a flag accidentally pull down a pole and injure someone.—
Sarah A. Miller,
Idaho Statesman,
28 May 2025
Verb
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Whatever credibility the report might have had as a product of a federal agency was shattered by its obvious errors, misrepresentations and outright fabrications of source materials, some of it plainly the product of the authors’ reliance on AI bots.—
Michael Hiltzik,
Los Angeles Times,
3 June 2025
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That puts them on pace to win just 25 games in 2025, which would shatter the record set by the White Sox.—
Kendall Capps,
MSNBC Newsweek,
2 June 2025
Verb
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During testimony, Lance Jimenez of the Los Angeles Fire Department recalled a 2012 incident in which an explosion wrecked a Porsche owned by Scott Mescudi, professionally known as Kid Cudi.—
Taijuan Moorman,
USA Today,
28 May 2025
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Walls were wrecked by artillery blasts and gunfire.—
Emmanuel Akinwotu,
NPR,
27 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 famed Pacific Coast Highway, State Route 1, has been closed since Jan. 7, 2025 as a result of the Palisades Fire which devastated the surrounding community.—
Michael Cappetta,
Travel + Leisure,
23 May 2025
Verb
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That served as a prelude to Tim Anderson smashing his own two-run shot off Zack Britton in the bottom of the inning to send the White Sox home winners.—
Tim Britton,
New York Times,
30 May 2025
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He’s often found smashing things in the name of justice but can still be angered easily if things don’t go his way.—
Sarah Scott,
Parents,
30 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tear down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tear%20down. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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