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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The gangs have resumed kidnappings, while burning hospitals and destroying schools.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
25 Mar. 2025
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Eventually, the artwork was destroyed.—
Brendan Rascius,
Miami Herald,
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 city did not share if the pool would be demolished, nor what is planned for the site.—
Eleanor Nash,
Kansas City Star,
23 Mar. 2025
Verb
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However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.—
Tanasia Kenney,
Miami Herald,
14 Apr. 2025
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Justin Champagnie hit a 3-pointer, the Heat had a backcourt violation and then Carrington ruined Jaime Jaquez Jr.’s 40-point game by dropping this dagger on him.—
Zach Harper,
New York Times,
14 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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Golden State ranks fifth in the NBA in total rebounds, pulling down 45.5 per game, with Kevon Looney leading the way at 6.2 boards per contest.—
Raja Krishnamoorthi,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Trump and Musk are truly onions made of glass: shiny orbs of one insubstantial layer over another, with nothing in the center, liable to be shattered under the slightest pressure.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Apr. 2025
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And amid the challenges, there’s a growing push for transparency in the beauty industry, especially as entrepreneurs are speaking out more about the realities of running a business, shattering the illusion of effortless success.—
Kimberly Wilson,
Essence,
12 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Three days prior, Dale Earnhardt, the sport’s superhero and antihero and transcendent phenom all in one, wrecked into the wall on Turn 4 on the last lap of the Daytona 500.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Apr. 2025
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The architectural vandalism was hideous and heartbreaking to watch, inhumane civic renewal by wrecking ball in the discredited vein of Robert Moses.—
Frank Rich,
Vulture,
8 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Amanda Seyfried stars in this limited series as a police officer investigating the murders of three young women in a Philadelphia neighborhood devastated by opioid addiction.—
Savannah Salazar,
Vulture,
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 20 Apr. 2025.
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