tear apart

phrasal verb

tore apart; torn apart; tearing apart; tears apart

: to completely destroy (something) by tearing it into pieces

I couldn't open the box nicely, so I just tore it apart.

—often used figuratively

The robbers tore apart the house looking for the money.

We tore the other team apart in yesterday's game.

We can't agree, and it's tearing our family apart.

: to criticize (someone or something) in a very harsh or angry way especially by describing weaknesses, flaws, etc.

The article tears apart the company's handling of the situation.

They tore him apart when he left.

Examples of tear apart in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

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There’s a heartbreaking moment in this episode when Solo realizes Juliette will have to tear apart the harmonium to make her breathing apparatus. —

Noel Murray, Vulture, 6 Dec. 2024 Their home country was torn apart by raids, and one day Helena didn't return from her studies away from the convent. —

Zoey Lyttle, People.com, 6 Dec. 2024 The defense has been brutally torn apart by injuries. —

Steve Silverman, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2024 Our world has been torn apart and no matter what happens here today, nothing will ever bring her back. —

Hannah Parry, Newsweek, 20 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for tear apart