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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of tear down
Due to liability concerns, owners tore down Sky Hi in 1987.
—
Abbey Briscoe, Kansas City Star, 4 July 2025
In December, the city tore down the Courtyards at Roselawn Park, a 1960 apartment complex overwhelmed with trash and crime since the last residents moved out in 2014.
—Jordan Smith, IndyStar, 2 July 2025
June 15 Vandalism: At 3:50 p.m. someone tore down a sign at Westhope Presbyterian Church on Saratoga Avenue, causing about $350 in damage.
—Anne Gelhaus, Mercury News, 27 June 2025
By then, the city had been built and torn down more than once, leaving remnants of past communities buried under new layers.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 1 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for tear down
Abbey Briscoe, Kansas City Star, 4 July 2025
In December, the city tore down the Courtyards at Roselawn Park, a 1960 apartment complex overwhelmed with trash and crime since the last residents moved out in 2014.
—Jordan Smith, IndyStar, 2 July 2025
June 15 Vandalism: At 3:50 p.m. someone tore down a sign at Westhope Presbyterian Church on Saratoga Avenue, causing about $350 in damage.
—Anne Gelhaus, Mercury News, 27 June 2025
By then, the city had been built and torn down more than once, leaving remnants of past communities buried under new layers.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 1 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for tear down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tear down
Verb
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In return, he was allowed to effectively destroy a nature site of great conservation value.—
Kim Hjelmgaard,
USA Today,
26 July 2025
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Trump also is destroying the Games’ potential upside.—
Joe Mathews,
Mercury News,
25 July 2025
Verb
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The kids division, ages 5 to 11, was tasked with demolishing a singular slice, or one-fourth, of an entire pie.—
Olivia Cyrus
July 23,
Sacbee.com,
24 July 2025
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That includes plans to demolish the building this summer.—
Tom Daykin,
jsonline.com,
23 July 2025
Verb
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However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.—
Don Sweeney,
Sacbee.com,
20 July 2025
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Nothing ruins the vibe of a beautiful backyard faster than dull, discolored patio furniture that’s more of an eyesore than an inviting lounge spot.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
20 July 2025
Verb
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Tina Charles came up big in the victory, scoring 29 points and pulling down 11 rebounds.—
Kilty Cleary,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 July 2025
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The 46-page complaint detailed multiple incidents, including one at Perry’s guest house in Georgia when the producer pulled down Dixon’s underwear and groped his buttocks.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
11 July 2025
Verb
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Kurt's key takeaways The Elmo hack shattered more than just a cheerful digital persona.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
20 July 2025
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That seeming consensus, under sustained attack, was shattered this week.—
David Folkenflik,
NPR,
18 July 2025
Verb
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The immigration storm is an effective diversion from how Trump’s policies are wrecking the government, jeopardizing the economy and forfeiting America’s respect in the world.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
18 July 2025
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Prelim info is stolen Camaro wrecked into a small bus pulling a trailer.—
Harriet Ramos,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
18 July 2025
Verb
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Today, disaster seekers pack tours through New Orleans neighborhoods devastated by Hurricane Katrina two decades ago, and visitors continue to flock to Galveston to see the legacy of a hurricane that killed thousands more than a century earlier.—
Lila Hempel-Edgers
July 22,
Charlotte Observer,
22 July 2025
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Not only has its air defense infrastructure suffered badly in the confrontations with Israel, but its regional proxies and allies – Hamas, Hezbollah and the Assad regime in Syria – have either been devastated by Israel or collapsed altogether.—
Linggong Kong,
The Conversation,
22 July 2025
Verb
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Security then pulled Paul from the ring, but not before destroyed Jelly’s music equipment, smashing guitars, pushing over amps, and trashing the drum set.—
Mitchell Peters,
Billboard,
13 July 2025
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With a runner aboard and two outs, Josh Naylor smashed a 105-mph line drive off Kikuchi’s left shoulder, the ball caroming into center field for a single.—
Mike Digiovanna,
Oc Register,
13 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tear down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tear%20down. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
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