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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of tear down
First look at Earl of Sandwich rooftop bar coming to Downtown Disney
The original Earl of Sandwich restaurant was torn down in 2022 along with AMC Theatre, Starbucks West and Sugarboo and Co. as part of the renovation of the west end of Downtown Disney.
—
Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 16 June 2025
Silay City, in the province’s north, has the most significant collection, though nature has reclaimed many, with kudzu and strangler figs grabbing roof tiles and tearing down walls.
—Jeff Chu, Travel + Leisure, 16 June 2025
There’s a catch: Before the sale can go through, the company wants the Landmarks Preservation Commission to de-designate the building so that it can be torn down.
—Justin Davidson, Curbed, 27 June 2025
His daytime classical studies and nighttime performances in Paris jazz clubs helped to solidify his theory that the walls between classical and jazz were artificial and should be torn down.
—Jon Burlingame, Variety, 26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for tear down
Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 16 June 2025
Silay City, in the province’s north, has the most significant collection, though nature has reclaimed many, with kudzu and strangler figs grabbing roof tiles and tearing down walls.
—Jeff Chu, Travel + Leisure, 16 June 2025
There’s a catch: Before the sale can go through, the company wants the Landmarks Preservation Commission to de-designate the building so that it can be torn down.
—Justin Davidson, Curbed, 27 June 2025
His daytime classical studies and nighttime performances in Paris jazz clubs helped to solidify his theory that the walls between classical and jazz were artificial and should be torn down.
—Jon Burlingame, Variety, 26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for tear down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tear down
Verb
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The lawsuit alleges that Merit Street’s business partner, Trinity Broadcasting of Fort Worth, destroyed its television network and forced the bankruptcy declaration.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 July 2025
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Experts have long assumed that the instrument had been destroyed or lost to history.—
Asia London Palomba,
Smithsonian Magazine,
14 July 2025
Verb
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It was held at Isaza’s grandparents’ house, which was about to be demolished.—
Sigal Ratner-Arias,
Billboard,
10 July 2025
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Shops at Sunset Place, a landmark mall in South Miami, will be demolished and replaced by towers filled with condos, a hotel, offices, a theater and restaurants.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
8 July 2025
Verb
-
Now a wonderful memory of the occasion will be ruined in my memories.—
Eric Thomas,
Sun Sentinel,
9 July 2025
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The ceiling was now on the floor, the world had turned itself upside down, her outfit and her day and her rug were seemingly ruined—and yet she herself was not hurt.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 July 2025
Verb
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It’s designed with a hidden cutout in the back that makes the jumpsuit easy to pull down during bathroom breaks.—
Jasmine Gomez,
Travel + Leisure,
8 July 2025
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Then, the Senate simply pulled down the amendment, something that shocked Capitol veterans.—
Bayliss Wagner,
Austin American Statesman,
2 July 2025
Verb
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But the resulting scandal shatters her reputation, as well as that of Nina’s teenage daughter, Clara.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
People.com,
9 July 2025
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In those terrifying moments, Ryan shattered a window in a final attempt to get his family out.—
Alaa Elassar,
CNN Money,
6 July 2025
Verb
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Day camp providers and schools are warning that a Trump administration funding freeze could wreck summer for low-income American families and wipe out some after-school programming next year.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
2 July 2025
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Social media is abuzz with Tatsuki's prophecy of a catastrophic earthquake and tsunami wrecking her home country of Japan -- a place prone to natural disasters but also a top destination for many in Asia -- sometime between July 5 and 7.—
Britt Clennett,
ABC News,
1 July 2025
Verb
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Hill Country was devastated by flash flooding on July 4 after torrential downpours caused the Guadalupe River to rise to near 30 feet.—
Abigail Adams,
People.com,
14 July 2025
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John Tufts The Grand Canyon North Rim, including the historic Grand Canyon Lodge, has been devastated by the Dragon Bravo wildfire.—
John Tufts,
IndyStar,
14 July 2025
Verb
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The other oar was smashed off, and the raft was littered up with leaves and branches and dirt.—
John Nogowski,
Hartford Courant,
6 July 2025
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The Bay of Fundy in Canada, which has the highest tidal range in the world (reaching up to 50 ft (15 m) and would make for an excellent source of clean energy for the region, has routinely been smashing tidal turbines to bits with its rapid tidal streams.—
Abhimanyu Ghoshal,
New Atlas,
2 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tear down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tear%20down. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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