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
The Personal Services Contractor Association, an advocacy group for U.S. personal services contractors, sued the Trump administration last month to insulate the contractors from efforts to tear down the agency.
—
Ella Lee, The Hill, 6 Mar. 2025
Sheehan picked a side in one of the last unresolved design questions the citizens committee could not agree on: Should a portion of the club’s wall be preserved in the memorial’s central area or should it be torn down and replaced with an obelisk?
—Silas Morgan, Orlando Sentinel, 24 Feb. 2025
The Trump administration is instead discussing tearing down NOAA.
—Christine Keiner, The Conversation, 28 Feb. 2025
The property could remain a restaurant — the listing includes full kitchen, bar, grease trap, walk-in freezer, storage areas and a liquor license — but the space is also zoned for workplace housing, should the new owners choose to tear down Duffy’s.
—Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tear down
Ella Lee, The Hill, 6 Mar. 2025
Sheehan picked a side in one of the last unresolved design questions the citizens committee could not agree on: Should a portion of the club’s wall be preserved in the memorial’s central area or should it be torn down and replaced with an obelisk?
—Silas Morgan, Orlando Sentinel, 24 Feb. 2025
The Trump administration is instead discussing tearing down NOAA.
—Christine Keiner, The Conversation, 28 Feb. 2025
The property could remain a restaurant — the listing includes full kitchen, bar, grease trap, walk-in freezer, storage areas and a liquor license — but the space is also zoned for workplace housing, should the new owners choose to tear down Duffy’s.
—Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tear down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tear down
Verb
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Residents of states that have been impacted by this weekend's storms have posted photos online showing their homes destroyed by the tornadoes, with roofs fallen completely off, walls caved in and debris on lawns.—
Brenton Blanchet,
People.com,
16 Mar. 2025
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Tornadoes pose a severe risk to life and property, with their powerful winds capable of destroying homes, overturning vehicles, and uprooting trees.—
Mark Davis,
Newsweek,
16 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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Alli Jo adds that the kids left school to appear on the date with Grant and the ladies, so Zoe ruined their day, too.—
Kristen Baldwin,
EW.com,
11 Mar. 2025
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During the 2020 election campaign, Trump said the AFFH rule would ruin the suburbs by forcing more affordable housing.—
Nathaniel Meyersohn,
CNN,
11 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Zoom out: More than two dozen Virginia properties were on the initial GSA list before it was pulled down.—
Karri Peifer,
Axios,
11 Mar. 2025
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Sarah Strong scored 22 points for the winning side and pulled down nine rebounds, while Paige Bueckers had a well-rounded game, scoring 15 points and adding seven rebounds, seven assists, and one block.—
Faisal Kutty,
Newsweek,
10 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The animated blockbuster, which has shattered box office records, will debut in the U.K. and Ireland on March 21, with previews beginning March 14.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
10 Mar. 2025
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Investigators say at least seven shots were fired, damaging three cars and shattering windows.—
Chris Isidore,
CNN,
10 Mar. 2025
Verb
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With the Trop's roof wrecked by Hurricane Milton, the Rays will play at Tampa's George M. Steinbrenner Field.—
Jeff Weiner,
Axios,
10 Mar. 2025
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A lot of people get too ambitious, head to the back tees, and end up absolutely wrecked by the course.—
David Hochman,
Forbes,
7 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Last year, parts of the U.S. were devastated by hurricanes such as Helene and Milton.—
Marshall Shepherd,
Forbes,
16 Mar. 2025
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The Asheville area was devastated in September by Hurricane Helene, with thousands of people displaced and businesses destroyed or temporarily closed.—
Ashleigh Fields,
The Hill,
14 Mar. 2025
Verb
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To Late April Close, CFO Says - Update RTL pointed to 2024 success stories including Oscar-winner Poor Things, hit Amazon YA series Maxton Hall, Kim Kardashian-produced doc Elizabeth Taylor: Rebel Superstar and U.S. entertainment smashes like Family Feud and The Farmer Wants A Wife.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
20 Mar. 2025
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Two people who were in the office area were hit as the vehicle smashed through the building, came out the other side and struck another vehicle, police said.—
Nathan Pilling,
Kansas City Star,
19 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tear down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tear%20down. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.
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