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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of tear down
Everything in the house was torn down to the studs, save for the three bedrooms, which still sustained smoke damage.
—
Ross Raihala, Twin Cities, 8 Feb. 2025
In 1969, the building was torn down and later replaced with a bank, followed by a public plaza.
—Laura Kiniry, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Jan. 2025
Hurricanes will open 2025 ACC slate with their biggest rival
This beachfront condo building was bought and torn down in South Florida.
—Noa Nierman, Sun Sentinel, 26 Jan. 2025
Change in some cities and towns meant better policing practices and Confederate statues being torn down.
—Abc News, ABC News, 4 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tear down
Ross Raihala, Twin Cities, 8 Feb. 2025
In 1969, the building was torn down and later replaced with a bank, followed by a public plaza.
—Laura Kiniry, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Jan. 2025
Hurricanes will open 2025 ACC slate with their biggest rival
This beachfront condo building was bought and torn down in South Florida.
—Noa Nierman, Sun Sentinel, 26 Jan. 2025
Change in some cities and towns meant better policing practices and Confederate statues being torn down.
—Abc News, ABC News, 4 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tear down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tear down
Verb
-
Prominent right-wing Israeli politicians called to destroy Israel's enemies in response.—
Daniel Estrin,
NPR,
20 Feb. 2025
-
Baldoni countersued, accusing Lively, Reynolds and Sloane of seeking to destroy his career.—
Gene Maddaus,
Variety,
20 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
The Crimson Tide have won their last seven games, most recently demolishing Texas 103-80 on Tuesday.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
15 Feb. 2025
-
The plan was to demolish the old office building at 85 Gracechurch Street in the heart of London’s financial district and construct a new 32-story tower in its place.—
Eli Wizevich,
Smithsonian Magazine,
14 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Sometimes, one bad person or a few bad people can ruin things for everybody.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
27 Feb. 2025
-
However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.—
Don Sweeney,
Kansas City Star,
26 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Although Porsche’s sales were up in every other region around the world, the decline in China was significant enough to pull down its global deliveries for the year by 3 percent.—
Melissa Eddy,
New York Times,
17 Feb. 2025
-
The senior forward scored 16 points and pulled down six rebounds Friday night to help Lemont secure a historic South Suburban Blue victory with a 70-55 decision over Hillcrest in Country Club Hills.—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
As the two vehicles collided, there was a loud boom; their windshields shattered, and the scene was engulfed in smoke.—
Stephania Taladrid,
The New Yorker,
27 Feb. 2025
-
Recent events have shattered her image as a role model—a persona that has long been disputed by some of her co-stars.—
Louis Staples,
Rolling Stone,
26 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
With Austin Cindric and Erik Jones locked in a side-by-side battle to decide a Daytona 500 qualifying race less than 100 yards from the finish line, cars wrecked behind them and NASCAR immediately hit the caution button.—
Jeff Gluck,
The Athletic,
24 Feb. 2025
-
As with other official statements over the previous two days, Webster said the cause is still under investigation and offered no reasons why the plane could have wrecked.—
Bill Lukitsch The Minnesota Star Tribune (TNS),
arkansasonline.com,
21 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
When wildfires devastated Los Angeles earlier this year, Bobbie provided formula for families who lost their homes.—
Eliana Dockterman,
TIME,
20 Feb. 2025
-
But with the ceremony taking place at the Pasadena Civic Center on Saturday, Feb. 22, just six weeks after Los Angeles was devastated by a series of wildfires, the celebration takes on a new tenor.—
Angelique Jackson,
Variety,
20 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Two Riverside officers have been charged after one smashed a resident’s skateboard in a viral video.—
Ryan Fonseca,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Feb. 2025
-
The robber smashes various display cases and loads jewelry into his backpack before running back to the car.—
Eliana Dockterman,
TIME,
24 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tear down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tear%20down. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share