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.
Following a week full of U.S. Open-esque conditions and winds at Bay Hill, the PGA Tour field is tearing up TPC Sawgrass through the first two rounds of one of the biggest events on the calendar. Mark Davis, Newsweek, 15 Mar. 2025 His supporters swiftly took to the streets in Bucharest, CNN’s affiliate Antena 3 reported, with some tearing up asphalt from the roads to pelt police who had amassed to guard the BEC building. Christian Edwards, CNN, 10 Mar. 2025 The family affair ended with a golden ticket straight to Hollywood, causing the Backstreet Boys alum to tear up and beam with pride. Kayla Grant, People.com, 10 Mar. 2025 At that point the 14-time Grammy winner apologized for tearing up before continuing. Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 10 Mar. 2025 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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