tear 1 of 2

noun

ˈter How to pronounce tear (audio)
Definition of tearnext
as in slit
a long deep cut repaired a tear in the theater curtain just before the start of the show

Synonyms & Similar Words

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tear

2 of 2

verb

ˈter How to pronounce tear (audio)
1
as in to rip
to cause (something) to separate into jagged pieces by violently pulling at it angrily tore the letter to shreds

Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to yank
to separate or remove by forceful pulling tore the book from his hand

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to speed
to proceed or move quickly she tore out of the room as soon as the phone started to ring

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word tear different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of tear are cleave, rend, rip, rive, and split. While all these words mean "to separate forcibly," tear implies pulling apart by force and leaving jagged edges.

tear up the letter

When could cleave be used to replace tear?

In some situations, the words cleave and tear are roughly equivalent. However, cleave implies very forceful splitting or cutting with a blow.

a bolt of lightning cleaved the giant oak

When can rend be used instead of tear?

While in some cases nearly identical to tear, rend implies very violent or ruthless severing or sundering.

an angry mob rent the prisoner's clothes

In what contexts can rip take the place of tear?

The meanings of rip and tear largely overlap; however, rip implies a pulling apart in one rapid uninterrupted motion often along a line or joint.

ripped the shirt on a nail

When is rive a more appropriate choice than tear?

The words rive and tear can be used in similar contexts, but rive occurs most often in figurative use.

a political party riven by conflict

When would split be a good substitute for tear?

The words split and tear are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, split implies a cutting or breaking apart in a continuous, straight, and usually lengthwise direction or in the direction of grain or layers.

split logs for firewood

How is the word tear different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of tear are cleave, rend, rip, rive, and split. While all these words mean "to separate forcibly," tear implies pulling apart by force and leaving jagged edges.

tear up the letter

When could cleave be used to replace tear?

In some situations, the words cleave and tear are roughly equivalent. However, cleave implies very forceful splitting or cutting with a blow.

a bolt of lightning cleaved the giant oak

When can rend be used instead of tear?

While in some cases nearly identical to tear, rend implies very violent or ruthless severing or sundering.

an angry mob rent the prisoner's clothes

In what contexts can rip take the place of tear?

The meanings of rip and tear largely overlap; however, rip implies a pulling apart in one rapid uninterrupted motion often along a line or joint.

ripped the shirt on a nail

When is rive a more appropriate choice than tear?

The words rive and tear can be used in similar contexts, but rive occurs most often in figurative use.

a political party riven by conflict

When would split be a good substitute for tear?

The words split and tear are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, split implies a cutting or breaking apart in a continuous, straight, and usually lengthwise direction or in the direction of grain or layers.

split logs for firewood

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of tear
Noun
As our discussion gets heavier and heavier, tears begin welling up in his eyes. —Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 31 Mar. 2026 Esteban Andres Cruz, evoking Sarandon, makes Leon a sad and touching figure, but the real tears are shed by Sonny. —Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 31 Mar. 2026
Verb
And the material also matters; what’s of most risk to astronauts is showers of high-energy protons and ions that can tear through metal and flesh alike, damaging DNA and other delicate cellular machinery. —Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 31 Mar. 2026 Forward Tyler Seguin, who tore his ACL in December, is out for the season, bringing Dallas’ injury total to six skaters. —Lia Assimakopoulos, Dallas Morning News, 30 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for tear
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tear
  1. slit
  2. rip
  3. yank
  4. speed
  5. scratch
  6. grab
  7. scurry
  8. race
Noun
  • True to Ortiz's design sensibilities, the dress included a small peekaboo cut-out and a high center slit.
    — Katherine J Igoe, InStyle, 3 Apr. 2026
  • The short video shows the back of a plane seat during a JetBlue flight, before zooming in on a narrow slit opening located below the television screen, prompting curiosity and confusion from the passenger.
    — Soo Kim, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
Definition of slit
Verb
  • Continue reading … ROBES RIVALRY — Liberal justice Elena Kagan rips colleague Jackson's dissent in rare public break.
    — , FOXNews.com, 1 Apr. 2026
  • Then a man comes in from behind and rips down their banner.
    — MSNBC Newsweek, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
Definition of rip
Verb
  • Zach Neto and Nolan Schanuel drew walks, sandwiched around a Trout single, and then Soler yanked a three-run double down the left field line.
    — Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 29 Mar. 2026
  • Minnesota starter Taj Bradley struck out nine over 4 1/3 innings, but was yanked after throwing 92 pitches.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 28 Mar. 2026
Definition of yank
Verb
  • Radical changes announced in February by new NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman to speed up the country’s return to the moon could make the program more reliant on SpaceX on future launches.
    — The Los Angeles Times, Boston Herald, 4 Apr. 2026
  • If the state approves these changes, New York City will be able to speed up too — our administration will ensure that rezoning applications can begin public review in six months or less.
    — Leila Bozorg, New York Daily News, 4 Apr. 2026
Definition of speed
Noun
  • The Canucks called up goaltender Jiri Patera from Abbotsford of the AHL as the backup to replace Kevin Lankinen, who was a late scratch.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 5 Apr. 2026
  • Sources say all the sound and lighting had to be brought in from scratch for Mitski, at her team’s considerable expense.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 4 Apr. 2026
Definition of scratch
Verb
  • Making his fifth start of the season in Queta’s absence, the backup center tallied 20 points on 8-of-9 shooting and grabbed nine rebounds.
    — Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 31 Mar. 2026
  • Miami is now 10-2 this season when grabbing more than 15 offensive rebounds.
    — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 31 Mar. 2026
Definition of grab
Verb
  • Going outside now means scurrying along giant arcades, shaded from the Sun by massive canopies that filter 99% of its UV light.
    — Big Think, Big Think, 31 Mar. 2026
  • But here from West Palm Beach’s cheap seats, people scurrying inside glass conjures up those halcyon summers of magnifying glasses, ants and mean kids.
    — Pat Beall, Sun Sentinel, 27 Mar. 2026
Definition of scurry
Verb
  • Families raced to the airport as divers searched the icy Potomac.
    — Sharyn Alfonsi, CBS News, 29 Mar. 2026
  • But the pictures of Jane and Adam in her wallet in the safe triggered a wave of negative thoughts racing through my mind.
    — R. Eric Thomas, Mercury News, 29 Mar. 2026
Definition of race

Phrases Containing tear

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tea party
tear
tearaway
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Cite this Entry

“Tear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tear. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on tear

Nglish: Translation of tear for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about tear

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