tore

Definition of torenext
past tense of tear
1
as in ripped
to cause (something) to separate into jagged pieces by violently pulling at it angrily tore the letter to shreds

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 tore They were killed when a Russian missile tore through their Kyiv apartment building on May 14, burying them under rubble. ABC News, 19 May 2026 The Cottonwood Fire also tore through Nebraska, scorching 129,253 acres. Kailey Schuyler, FOXNews.com, 19 May 2026 But Patrick Mahomes, who tore his ACL last December, is ahead of schedule and will likely be under center when these two teams square off in early November. Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 15 May 2026 Stunning new images from Europe's Mars Express orbiter reveal a rugged Martian landscape carved by catastrophic floods that once tore across the Red Planet billions of years ago. Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 15 May 2026 The fall broke his neck, fractured his skull, tore ligaments in his wrist, and collapsed his lungs, among other injuries. Lauren Victory, CBS News, 14 May 2026 In Prayagraj district, residents described panic as strong winds tore through neighborhoods. Biswajeet Banerjee, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026 Fudd first tore her right ACL and MCL in April 2019 at a USA Basketball event and then tore the same ACL and her medial meniscus during a UConn practice in November 2023. Brian Hamilton, New York Times, 13 May 2026 At a half-mile wide, the F4 twister tore through the community, destroying more than 80% of it. Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 11 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tore
Verb
  • Meanwhile, male athletes get ripped to shreds 24/7 on television, radio, podcasts and social media without anyone questioning whether the existence of criticism itself is harmful to the sport.
    Amber Harding OutKick, FOXNews.com, 14 May 2026
  • Ensure the item is in working condition and not damaged, broken, or ripped.
    Alexandra Kelly, Martha Stewart, 13 May 2026
Verb
  • Once, Denise yanked an earring out of Djena’s left ear, tearing the lobe.
    Yudhijit Bhattacharjee, New Yorker, 18 May 2026
  • That infuriatingly catchy Kars4Kids donation jingle got yanked off the air in California.
    Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 17 May 2026
Verb
  • Lee became the first Giants hitter to be credited with one against the Dodgers since 1981, when Larry Herndon raced around the bases against Fernando Valenzuela at Candlestick Park.
    Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 15 May 2026
  • The sound was moving, and Larry raced for our plane and turned on the emergency transmitter.
    Ben East, Outdoor Life, 14 May 2026
Verb
  • Young grabbed onto Elijah’s hair to try to hang onto the moment.
    Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 15 May 2026
  • Becerra blunder The first ad that grabbed my attention was a quick-turn by San José Mayor and gubernatorial candidate Matt Mahan (still stuck in single-digit polling numbers), who jumped on Xavier Becerra’s first major mess-up.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026
Verb
  • Henley wrenched away from her mother's grip, turned, and darted up the stairs again, leaving Emily and Kate in startled silence.
    Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 1 May 2026
  • As the plane twisted upward, the air pressure wrenched off another tail fin.
    Burkhard Bilger, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Initially, the Tahoe slowed, but then sped away, reaching speeds of 80 mph in a 35 mph zone.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 19 May 2026
  • The air was warm and breezy as Martin Lisius sped northeast on Texas 25, near Archer City, in his Acura MDX.
    Emily Holshouser May 19, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 May 2026
Verb
  • The dogs, including newborn puppies, were pulled to safety by the Brandywine Valley SPCA rescue team.
    Kerri Corrado, CBS News, 13 May 2026
  • The war pulled the Bureau away from these efforts, but once peace returned, Kline and his scientists had gone back to work.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 May 2026
Verb
  • Wittorp scurried over to a curtained side entrance.
    Jane Bua, New Yorker, 14 May 2026
  • After Malik closed out the fundraiser with a stump speech calling for taxing the rich, Johnson drove off in a black Porsche Cayenne, and a plump rat scurried by the venue’s entrance.
    Maxwell Adler, Vanity Fair, 6 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Tore.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tore. Accessed 20 May. 2026.

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