tear apart
phrasal verb
tore apart; torn apart; tearing apart; tears apart
1
: to completely destroy (something) by tearing it into pieces
I couldn't open the box nicely, so I just tore it apart.
—often used figurativelyThe 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.
2
: 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
As Trump moves forward with deportations, Estrada said families will be torn apart, which will impact everyone living in an immigrant community.
—
Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 21 Jan. 2025
Bryan Kirkwood, a security guard hired to protect homes from looters, was shocked to see the home torn apart.
—Michael Dorgan, Fox News, 17 Jan. 2025
Seeing McQueen and Stockhausen banter off one another, one is reminded of the dynamic between brothers or cousins who’ve spent too much time around one another, yet can’t manage to be torn apart.
—Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 30 Nov. 2024
There are arguments as families are torn apart under pressure and violence against hospital staff and emergencies within emergencies.
—Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for tear apart 
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Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 21 Jan. 2025
Bryan Kirkwood, a security guard hired to protect homes from looters, was shocked to see the home torn apart.
—Michael Dorgan, Fox News, 17 Jan. 2025
Seeing McQueen and Stockhausen banter off one another, one is reminded of the dynamic between brothers or cousins who’ve spent too much time around one another, yet can’t manage to be torn apart.
—Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 30 Nov. 2024
There are arguments as families are torn apart under pressure and violence against hospital staff and emergencies within emergencies.
—Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for tear apart
Dictionary Entries Near tear apart
Cite this Entry
“Tear apart.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tear%20apart. Accessed 26 Jan. 2025.
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