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
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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
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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of tear down
The dead trees repeatedly tore down power lines and left her without power for 12 to 24-hour stretches, according to Somers.
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Tamia Fowlkes, Journal Sentinel, 12 Dec. 2024
In 2003, the building was torn down and replaced with the Anaheim GardenWalk, an outdoor mall; Wilkerson died in 2018.
—David Browne, Rolling Stone, 8 Dec. 2024
As rebel groups celebrated in the streets of Damascus and tore down large posters of his face, the dictator fled the country.
—The Editors, National Review, 8 Dec. 2024
Details about the pad are scant, given that Grande picked it up in an off-market deal, but Diaz reportedly bought the property with plans to tear down the existing house and build a larger structure in its place.
—Joyce Chen, Architectural Digest, 26 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for tear down 
Tamia Fowlkes, Journal Sentinel, 12 Dec. 2024
In 2003, the building was torn down and replaced with the Anaheim GardenWalk, an outdoor mall; Wilkerson died in 2018.
—David Browne, Rolling Stone, 8 Dec. 2024
As rebel groups celebrated in the streets of Damascus and tore down large posters of his face, the dictator fled the country.
—The Editors, National Review, 8 Dec. 2024
Details about the pad are scant, given that Grande picked it up in an off-market deal, but Diaz reportedly bought the property with plans to tear down the existing house and build a larger structure in its place.
—Joyce Chen, Architectural Digest, 26 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for tear down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tear down
Verb
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Meanwhile, almost 20 American naval vessels and more than 300 airplanes were destroyed or damaged.Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 16 Dec. 2024
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Shacks and buildings were left completely destroyed when the cyclone struck the nation hampered by poverty.Kinsey Crowley, USA TODAY, 16 Dec. 2024
Verb
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During the uprising, students demolished or defaced thousands of statues that Ms. Hasina had erected of her father.Saif Hasnat Atul Loke, New York Times, 24 Dec. 2024
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As a result, crews had already demolished The Dolphin Restaurant, which was built in the 1960s, to make room to fix missing and damaged pilings.Jakob Rodgers, The Mercury News, 24 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Although the name suggests otherwise, the custard should never be allowed to actually boil, which would risk scrambling the eggs and ruining the custard.Elizabeth Hutchison Hicklin, Southern Living, 22 Dec. 2024
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Ventilation along the roofline ensures airflow to prevent the dampness that can ruin belongings.Miles Walls, People.com, 21 Dec. 2024
Verb
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In Connecticut, by contrast, the average earner in the top 5% pulled down $676,016.Daniel de Visé, USA TODAY, 20 Dec. 2024
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The other two spots came from a convertible sofa and a bed that pulled down from the wall.Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 19 Dec. 2024
Verb
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The sequel, released over Thanksgiving weekend, has shattered box office records and has already raked in $750 million internationally.Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 23 Dec. 2024
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The inaugural season of the Jamie Chadwick Series wrapped up with a resounding success, shattering records and opening new doors for young girls in the world of motorsport.Jenn Nelson, Forbes, 22 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Plus, consuming alcohol on the reg can wreck the balance of your microbiome, depleting your numbers of good bacteria and prompting excess growth of the bad guys that can inflame your gut.Erica Sloan, SELF, 18 Dec. 2024
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Plummeting aircraft or debris can kill people; errant munitions can wreck city blocks.Colin Demarest, Axios, 18 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Officials are assessing damage after Cyclone Chido devastated the island of Mayotte over the weekend.Kinsey Crowley, USA TODAY, 16 Dec. 2024
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West Ninth Street continued to grow throughout this time, but the Great Depression of the 1930s devastated many businesses and fraternal groups.Helaine Williams, arkansasonline.com, 14 Dec. 2024
Verb
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The leaves must be smashed and not chopped for fear the blade of a knife will over-oxidize them.Thessaly La Force, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Dec. 2024
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Meanwhile, Hulu scored hits in unexpected places (reality smash The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives) even as shows such as Futurama and Only Murders in the Building continued to be quiet streaming hits.Josef Adalian, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near tear down
Cite this Entry
“Tear down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tear%20down. Accessed 31 Dec. 2024.
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