tear up

verb

tore up; torn up; tearing up; tears up

transitive verb

1
: to damage, remove, or effect an opening in
tore up the street to lay a new water main
2
: to perform or compete with great success on, in, or against
couples tearing up the dance floor
a batter who's tearing up the league

Examples of tear up in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Wall Street has been seesawing for weeks as traders tear up their forecasts for what the Fed will do with interest rates in 2025. Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 15 Jan. 2025 Jenna & Friends is also getting a new theme song, which Bush Hager played on the air Monday, prompting Kotb to tear up. Raechal Shewfelt, EW.com, 7 Jan. 2025 The emotional exchange was captured on TikTok, with Brianna’s grandparents tearing up before even realizing the grand gesture. Ashley Vega, People.com, 30 Dec. 2024 His departure was precipitated by his decision to tear up a power- sharing deal with the SNP's junior coalition partner, the Scottish Greens, who promptly responded by backing a vote of no confidence in him. The Week Uk, theweek, 25 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for tear up 

Word History

First Known Use

1620, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of tear up was in 1620

Dictionary Entries Near tear up

Cite this Entry

“Tear up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tear%20up. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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