1
as in destroyed
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 demolished
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 torn down
Watching a building get torn down might feel that way, too.
—
Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 14 Oct. 2025
The project, located just three-quarters of a mile from Rodeo Drive, is on the site of a former Robinsons-May department store, which was torn down in 2014.
—David Moin, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2025
Despite the best efforts of the Los Angeles Conservancy, the Ambassador had been torn down — and among the speakers decrying the fate of the legendary institution that evening was Diane Keaton.
—Michael Schneider, Variety, 12 Oct. 2025
The other cabins were torn down a long time ago.
—Hazlitt, 8 Oct. 2025
But, like the proposal in Lenexa, McEver’s efforts didn’t make it past the finish line, and the building was torn down a couple years later.
—Taylor O'Connor, Kansas City Star, 5 Oct. 2025
The report said the parish did not provide reasoning for why the rectory should be torn down.
—Cate Charron, IndyStar, 2 Oct. 2025
It was torn down in 1985, ultimately replaced by mixed-use development.
—Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Sep. 2025
Artificial turf was laid on Boguski Field over the offseason, and the old bleachers were torn down.
—Mike Organ, Nashville Tennessean, 29 Sep. 2025
Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 14 Oct. 2025
The project, located just three-quarters of a mile from Rodeo Drive, is on the site of a former Robinsons-May department store, which was torn down in 2014.
—David Moin, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2025
Despite the best efforts of the Los Angeles Conservancy, the Ambassador had been torn down — and among the speakers decrying the fate of the legendary institution that evening was Diane Keaton.
—Michael Schneider, Variety, 12 Oct. 2025
The other cabins were torn down a long time ago.
—Hazlitt, 8 Oct. 2025
But, like the proposal in Lenexa, McEver’s efforts didn’t make it past the finish line, and the building was torn down a couple years later.
—Taylor O'Connor, Kansas City Star, 5 Oct. 2025
The report said the parish did not provide reasoning for why the rectory should be torn down.
—Cate Charron, IndyStar, 2 Oct. 2025
It was torn down in 1985, ultimately replaced by mixed-use development.
—Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Sep. 2025
Artificial turf was laid on Boguski Field over the offseason, and the old bleachers were torn down.
—Mike Organ, Nashville Tennessean, 29 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for torn down
Verb
-
Civilian infrastructure—roads, sewage, electricity, and municipal services—has been destroyed.—
Mohammed R. Mhawish,
New Yorker,
14 Oct. 2025
-
One police cruiser was destroyed by flames and needed to be towed away from the area, officials said.—
Adam Sabes,
FOXNews.com,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Neighbors for a Better San Diego, a group that represents mostly single-family homeowners and opposes nearby higher-density development, criticized the report for not tracking how many homes get demolished to make way for new projects.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 Oct. 2025
-
It was finally demolished in 2008.—
Peter Carline,
New York Times,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Back in January, Preston remembered filming My Best Friend’s Wedding — and how an iconic scene ruined crab and lobster for her.—
Victoria Edel,
PEOPLE,
14 Oct. 2025
-
All the beautiful lines have been ruined.—
Sean Evans,
Robb Report,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Lee then pulled down his pants and attempted to force plaintiff’s head toward his genitals.—
Nancy Dillon,
Rolling Stone,
11 Oct. 2025
-
Cornerback Darnay Holmes, suffering from a thigh cramp and desperate to return to the game in the final minutes, pulled down his uniform pants — exposing his backside — while a trainer vigorously massaged the area.—
Michael Silver,
New York Times,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Windows were already beginning to glow with firelight when Balmer smashed another window and infiltrated the house.—
Elizabeth Wolfe,
CNN Money,
14 Oct. 2025
-
That property happened to be a $60,000 Boston police cruiser equipped with computers and other technology that was smashed and torched.—
Peter Lucas,
Boston Herald,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Chastain, in desperation, then took his car on the final braking zone and wrecked into the 11 with the hope of passing him back.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
6 Oct. 2025
-
Brian Schottenheimer battles through injuries Heading into the game against the Jets, Schottenheimer’s offensive line was wrecked by injury.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Both teams boast impressive defenses, but the Bills are coming off an embarrassing loss to a divisional rival last week that shattered hopes of an undefeated season.—
Gabe Smallson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Oct. 2025
-
The Trojans may have shattered that superstition, improving to 7-5 all-time against the blue-blood Wolverines.—
Haley Sawyer,
Oc Register,
12 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Schools, hospitals, as well as water and electricity infrastructure have all been devastated during the two-year war from Israel’s extensive military campaign on the Gaza Strip, Amr said.—
Nadine El-Bawab,
ABC News,
18 Oct. 2025
-
Her tour of the affected states contrasted with the response taken by her predecessor and mentor, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, when Hurricane Otis devastated Mexico’s Pacific Coast in 2023.—
Cristopher Rogel Blanquet,
New York Times,
17 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Torn down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/torn%20down. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share