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
The Berkeley Cafe building was torn down nearly two years ago, and in its place a New York developer has plans to build a 36-story apartment tower.
—
Zachery Eanes, Axios, 22 Jan. 2025
Most Popular Most Popular This beachfront condo building was bought and torn down in South Florida.
—Abigail Hasebroock, Sun Sentinel, 25 Jan. 2025
Voters agreed to create the Denver Urban Renewal Authority and tax themselves to tear down 30 blocks of existing buildings in the hopes that developers would fill the blank slates with modern structures.
—Aldo Svaldi, The Denver Post, 24 Jan. 2025
An existing house was torn down and in 2004 was replaced by the innovative alternative now on the market for $15 million.
—Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 23 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for tear down 
Zachery Eanes, Axios, 22 Jan. 2025
Most Popular Most Popular This beachfront condo building was bought and torn down in South Florida.
—Abigail Hasebroock, Sun Sentinel, 25 Jan. 2025
Voters agreed to create the Denver Urban Renewal Authority and tax themselves to tear down 30 blocks of existing buildings in the hopes that developers would fill the blank slates with modern structures.
—Aldo Svaldi, The Denver Post, 24 Jan. 2025
An existing house was torn down and in 2004 was replaced by the innovative alternative now on the market for $15 million.
—Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 23 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for tear down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tear down
Verb
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The Eaton fire happened on Jan. 7 and Allen’s house was destroyed, along with that of his assistant.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Feb. 2025
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In addition to Meester and Brody, Cameron Mathison, Anna Faris, Ricki Lake, Cary Elwes and Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag were among the stars who confirmed that their homes were also destroyed.—
Stephanie Wenger,
People.com,
8 Feb. 2025
Verb
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According to the El Cajon Boulevard Business Improvement Association, the restaurant was later demolished to make way for Interstate 805.—
San Diego Union-Tribune,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Feb. 2025
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The roof and several walls of her modest home have been demolished, leaving Jahjouh with just one room covered with a makeshift roof.—
Tareq Al Hilou,
CNN,
5 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The Weeknd nearly ruins the weekend Ladies and gentlemen, the… weakest link of the night?—
Gerrad Hall,
EW.com,
3 Feb. 2025
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Valentine's Day is coming and most romantics don't plan to let inflation ruin their holiday.—
Mike Snider,
USA TODAY,
3 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Earlier this week, the administration pulled down photographs of children and families from the agency’s hallways.—
Brett Murphy,
ProPublica,
31 Jan. 2025
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As pilgrims rushed to the confluence of the Ganges and Yamuna Rivers, which Hindus consider sacred, thousands of people who were lying or sitting on the river banks were trampled, safety barricades broke, and fences were pulled down, according to government officials and witnesses.—
Hari Kumar,
New York Times,
29 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The loss is just beyond description and my heart is shattered.—
Dave Quinn,
People.com,
31 Jan. 2025
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In the book his sense of complacency as a middle-class Jewish American is shattered by the massacre at the Tree of Life synagogue in 2018 and the resurgence of the far right.—
Andrew Silow-Carroll,
Sun Sentinel,
30 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Probiotics and fiber can cause uncomfortable symptoms, like diarrhea and bloating, that can wreck performance.—
Julia Ries,
Outside Online,
29 Jan. 2025
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The first step is to open your eyes to the big, disruptive forces at play that could wreck your business.—
Dev Patnaik,
Forbes,
26 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Friends began to worry, and then were devastated by the news, KATV reported.—
Mitchell Willetts,
Kansas City Star,
6 Feb. 2025
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As the fires devastated the city, some of the first aid administered to Los Angeles was provided by chefs and restaurants.—
Stephanie Breijo,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2025
Verb
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These carnivorous crustaceans pack a powerful punch that can smash mollusk shells at speeds of up to 50 miles per hour and even break glass.—
Laura Baisas,
Popular Science,
7 Feb. 2025
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France’s Ad Vitam has entered Netflix’s all-time top ten for most popular non-English movies on its platform one week after Culpa Tuya smashed records for Amazon.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
7 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near tear down
Cite this Entry
“Tear down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tear%20down. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.
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