tear up

verb

tore up; torn up; tearing up; tears up

transitive verb

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
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.
High blood sugar levels can end up damaging blood vessels throughout your body that can lead to major issues like kidney problems, retinopathy, stroke, and coronary artery disease, which could be tearing up your heart for real. Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes, 28 Nov. 2024 Ben Vereen is shown tearing up talking about the legendary entertainer and daughter of Hollywood royalty, Judy Garland and Vincente Minnelli. Marc Malkin, Variety, 26 Nov. 2024 Analysis: Alito is determined to tear up precedent in Trump’s next term. Daniel Wine, CNN, 26 Nov. 2024 Below, a very large chunk of the EAA is being torn up by backhoes and dump trucks. Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 25 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for tear up 

Word History

First Known Use

1620, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of tear up was in 1620

Dictionary Entries Near tear up

Cite this Entry

“Tear up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tear%20up. Accessed 16 Dec. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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