tear up
verb
tore up; torn up; tearing up; tears up
1
: to damage, remove, or effect an opening in
tore up the street to lay a new water main
2
: to perform or compete with great success on, in, or against
couples tearing up the dance floor
a batter who's tearing up the league
Examples of tear up in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Before his first class even begins one morning in early March, a girl tears up over a social media post.
—
Jackie Valley, Christian Science Monitor, 28 May 2025
The Redditor said that her mother-in-law started tearing up and her boss stood up to congratulate them.
—Sabrina Weiss, People.com, 19 May 2025
Star Joaquin Phoenix was tearing up as the applause continued.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 16 May 2025
But Mayer has also been tearing up the minors, slugging .491, and is just waiting for his chance to play at Fenway.
—Dan Freedman, Forbes.com, 6 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for tear up
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Jackie Valley, Christian Science Monitor, 28 May 2025
The Redditor said that her mother-in-law started tearing up and her boss stood up to congratulate them.
—Sabrina Weiss, People.com, 19 May 2025
Star Joaquin Phoenix was tearing up as the applause continued.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 16 May 2025
But Mayer has also been tearing up the minors, slugging .491, and is just waiting for his chance to play at Fenway.
—Dan Freedman, Forbes.com, 6 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for tear up
Cite this Entry
“Tear up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tear%20up. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share