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.
At Trump’s last speech to Congress, the 2020 State of the Union address, then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) tore up the prepared text behind him. W. James Antle Iii, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 4 Mar. 2025 In the clip, the 43-year-old is tearing up in her hospital bed while getting the final staple removed. Vanessa Etienne, People.com, 27 Feb. 2025 The comedian himself seemed to tear up when mentioning two of his friends and former castmates, Chris Farley and Norm Macdonald, both of whom have died. Esther Zuckerman, The Atlantic, 17 Feb. 2025 Nolen is a prototypical three-technique disrupter who tore up the SEC last year and is noted for his relentless play style. Zac Jackson, The Athletic, 20 Feb. 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 9 Mar. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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