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
And the decision was made to tear down the CJC and build the new Downtown Detention Center in the same spot.
—
Keith Sharon, USA TODAY, 20 Feb. 2025
The time has come to tear down their sociopolitical structure.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 15 Feb. 2025
Wind turbines in particular have become a contested topic, with the AfD’s lead candidate Alice Weidel for the upcoming election calling for them to be torn down.
—Sophie Kiderlin, CNBC, 12 Feb. 2025
There's a school of thought that chaos can breed creativity, and that tearing down old institutions can unleash entrepreneurial spirit.
—Tina Reed, Axios, 10 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tear down
Keith Sharon, USA TODAY, 20 Feb. 2025
The time has come to tear down their sociopolitical structure.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 15 Feb. 2025
Wind turbines in particular have become a contested topic, with the AfD’s lead candidate Alice Weidel for the upcoming election calling for them to be torn down.
—Sophie Kiderlin, CNBC, 12 Feb. 2025
There's a school of thought that chaos can breed creativity, and that tearing down old institutions can unleash entrepreneurial spirit.
—Tina Reed, Axios, 10 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tear down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tear down
Verb
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Lost in a sea of ash: When wildfire destroys a home — and a loved one’s urn — the search begins.—
Ryan Fonseca,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Mar. 2025
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This is a major U-turn from Riot, after completely revamping the rewards system at the start of the year and being destroyed by fans for it.—
Mike Stubbs,
Forbes,
4 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Many have long since been demolished or altered beyond recognition, but some of the most beautiful have miraculously kept their original structures and decoration intact.—
The New York Times,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 Mar. 2025
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Some residential buildings have been demolished; a hole is punched into the side of a mosque; chunks of broken concrete now bare the inside of someone’s home to the outside world.—
Jeremy Diamond,
CNN,
28 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Sometimes, one bad person or a few bad people can ruin things for everybody.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
27 Feb. 2025
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However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.—
Don Sweeney,
Kansas City Star,
26 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Although Porsche’s sales were up in every other region around the world, the decline in China was significant enough to pull down its global deliveries for the year by 3 percent.—
Melissa Eddy,
New York Times,
17 Feb. 2025
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The senior forward scored 16 points and pulled down six rebounds Friday night to help Lemont secure a historic South Suburban Blue victory with a 70-55 decision over Hillcrest in Country Club Hills.—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Feb. 2025
Verb
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As the two vehicles collided, there was a loud boom; their windshields shattered, and the scene was engulfed in smoke.—
Stephania Taladrid,
The New Yorker,
27 Feb. 2025
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Recent events have shattered her image as a role model—a persona that has long been disputed by some of her co-stars.—
Louis Staples,
Rolling Stone,
26 Feb. 2025
Verb
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With Austin Cindric and Erik Jones locked in a side-by-side battle to decide a Daytona 500 qualifying race less than 100 yards from the finish line, cars wrecked behind them and NASCAR immediately hit the caution button.—
Jeff Gluck,
The Athletic,
24 Feb. 2025
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As with other official statements over the previous two days, Webster said the cause is still under investigation and offered no reasons why the plane could have wrecked.—
Bill Lukitsch The Minnesota Star Tribune (TNS),
arkansasonline.com,
21 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Without an effective treatment, the disease could devastate her harvest, leaving her unable to repay her loans or provide for her family.—
Daphne Ewing-Chow,
Forbes,
4 Mar. 2025
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On Hollywood's biggest night, Colman Domingo led a tequila toast to the resilience of Los Angeles in the wake of the wildfires that devastated the city.—
Jessica Wang,
EW.com,
3 Mar. 2025
Verb
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And being choked at the age of 80 while your face is being smashed into the ground?—
Brittny Mejia,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2025
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Her shop’s front glass door was smashed and her point of sale system, electronics and some merchandise were taken.—
Nathan Pilling,
Kansas City Star,
5 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tear down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tear%20down. Accessed 14 Mar. 2025.
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