tear apart
phrasal verb
tore apart; torn apart; tearing apart; tears apart
1
: to completely destroy (something) by tearing it into pieces
I couldn't open the box nicely, so I just tore it apart.
—often used figurativelyThe robbers tore apart the house looking for the money.
We tore the other team apart in yesterday's game.
We can't agree, and it's tearing our family apart.
2
: to criticize (someone or something) in a very harsh or angry way especially by describing weaknesses, flaws, etc.
The article tears apart the company's handling of the situation.
They tore him apart when he left.
Examples of tear apart in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Ever since mom was torn apart by wolves, the family has lived in splendor off her inheritance, with the kids taking care of their blind, judgmental father (Tracey Letts).
—
Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 15 Feb. 2026
Seeing young people speak out against racial profiling, deportations without due process and families being torn apart is both heartbreaking and hopeful and a powerful reminder of how urgent this moment is.
—Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2026
And at a time when the President is tearing apart the Department of Education, Maryland is delivering on our promise to have the public schools the best in the nation.
—Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 11 Feb. 2026
However, Republican policies continue to tear apart El Cajon families, drive shoppers away from our businesses, and shield abusers from accountability.
—Hannah Elsmore, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tear apart
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Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 15 Feb. 2026
Seeing young people speak out against racial profiling, deportations without due process and families being torn apart is both heartbreaking and hopeful and a powerful reminder of how urgent this moment is.
—Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2026
And at a time when the President is tearing apart the Department of Education, Maryland is delivering on our promise to have the public schools the best in the nation.
—Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 11 Feb. 2026
However, Republican policies continue to tear apart El Cajon families, drive shoppers away from our businesses, and shield abusers from accountability.
—Hannah Elsmore, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tear apart
Cite this Entry
“Tear apart.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tear%20apart. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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