1
as in ripping
to cause (something) to separate into jagged pieces by violently pulling at it
angrily tore the letter to shreds
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in yanking
to separate or remove by forceful pulling
tore the book from his hand
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in hurrying
to proceed or move quickly
she tore out of the room as soon as the phone started to ring
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of tearing
Chris Boyette, CNN Money, 14 Sep. 2025
Greenlaw hasn’t played a healthy season since tearing his Achilles in a fluke moment in February 2024’s Super Bowl.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 12 Sep. 2025
The first tough decision was Watson or Doubs — and Green Bay went with Watson, who is expected to return later this season after tearing an ACL in Week 18, 2024.
—Rob Reischel, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Rodgers had a very forgettable two-year run as the Jets QB over the last two seasons, leading the team to a 5-12 record in 2024 after missing all of the 2023 season after tearing his Achilles in the season opener that year.
—Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Sep. 2025
The microplastic beads that celebrities were splashing all over their bathroom floors in commercials advertising their benefits were actually tearing our faces up!
—Keyaira Boone, Essence, 5 Sep. 2025
Unlike modern crocodiles, which lie in wait to grab and drown their pray, this beast possessed the kind of build and the dentition for tackling animals head-on and tearing through hide and flesh.
—New Atlas, 27 Aug. 2025
Homages to the Bethesda games’ slow-motion kills are aplenty, with gratuitous shots of bullets tearing through bodies and painting the walls red.
—Ars Technica, 24 Dec. 2024
Higbee was on the physically unable to perform list after tearing his back ACL and MCL last postseason.
—Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 22 Dec. 2024
Adjective
The fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk this week on a Utah college campus marks the latest example of violence tearing through American politics across centuries and the ideological spectrum.
—Chris Boyette, CNN Money, 14 Sep. 2025
Greenlaw hasn’t played a healthy season since tearing his Achilles in a fluke moment in February 2024’s Super Bowl.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 12 Sep. 2025
The first tough decision was Watson or Doubs — and Green Bay went with Watson, who is expected to return later this season after tearing an ACL in Week 18, 2024.
—Rob Reischel, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Rodgers had a very forgettable two-year run as the Jets QB over the last two seasons, leading the team to a 5-12 record in 2024 after missing all of the 2023 season after tearing his Achilles in the season opener that year.
—Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Sep. 2025
The microplastic beads that celebrities were splashing all over their bathroom floors in commercials advertising their benefits were actually tearing our faces up!
—Keyaira Boone, Essence, 5 Sep. 2025
Unlike modern crocodiles, which lie in wait to grab and drown their pray, this beast possessed the kind of build and the dentition for tackling animals head-on and tearing through hide and flesh.
—New Atlas, 27 Aug. 2025
Homages to the Bethesda games’ slow-motion kills are aplenty, with gratuitous shots of bullets tearing through bodies and painting the walls red.
—Ars Technica, 24 Dec. 2024
Higbee was on the physically unable to perform list after tearing his back ACL and MCL last postseason.
—Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 22 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tearing
Verb
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Bonds, which have hovered for a week after a ripping rally , and could struggle if attention returns to stickier inflation?—
Michael Santoli,
CNBC,
16 Sep. 2025
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Made from heavyweight, rigid denim, these jeans can stand up to constant wear without ripping or stretching.—
Christopher Murray
may earn a commission if you buy through our referral links. This content was created by a team that works independently from the Fox newsroom.,
FOXNews.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Within seconds, officers in full riot gear surged forward in formation, yanking open the doors and pulling the passenger to safety.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
7 Sep. 2025
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But some lawmakers say that argument is baseless and that yanking the grants has left the state less equipped to prevent tragedies like this week’s attack at Annunciation Catholic School.—
Curt Devine,
CNN Money,
30 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Before the new regulations, says Annie Inglis, Marine Biology Presenter with Quark, the expedition crew would be hurrying to get guests in Zodiacs to try to get closer to a bear sighting like this.—
Cassidy Randall,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
Verb
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After grabbing an early lead Friday evening, the Royals were unable to match their hosts’ prolific offense on Friday.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
13 Sep. 2025
-
The owner squeezed her hands into the mix of kittens, moving the babies and grabbing the one that did not belong, which turned out to be a tiny mouse.—
Liz O'Connell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The outlets report that footage of the stunt show posted on social media shows speeding cars spinning on the road with smoke coming from their tailpipes.—
Escher Walcott,
PEOPLE,
16 Sep. 2025
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The natural rate of decline in output from the world's oil and gas fields is speeding up, owing to more reliance on shale and deep offshore resources, the International Energy Agency said on Tuesday.—
Seher Dareen,
Reuters,
15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
One spring day in Paris many years ago, my wife, Diana, a most penetrating photographer, capable of seeing like no one else, decided, as an experiment, to walk across the city blindfolded.—
Hisham Matar,
Harper's Magazine,
2 Aug. 2024
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Since the war began in Gaza, more than six months ago, the Israeli magazine +972 has published some of the most penetrating reporting on the Israel Defense Forces’ conduct.—
Isaac Chotiner,
The New Yorker,
12 Apr. 2024
Verb
-
Varholak closed his night 11-for-18 passing with 247 yards and a trio of touchdowns for Hingham (along with 47 yards rushing), while Reale added four receptions for 72 yards and two scores.—
Brendan Connelly,
Boston Herald,
20 Sep. 2025
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Cade Saunders and Elijah Womack both had rushing TDs in the first quarter to accelerate the blowout, and Saunders also had a pick to set up another first-half score.—
Matt Schubert,
Denver Post,
20 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The characters have this sharp, biting, British humor.—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
28 Aug. 2025
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There’s Bud the biting cat, played by a feline named Tonic and who deserves a three-picture deal.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
28 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tearing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tearing. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.
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