1
as in destroyed
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 demolished
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of tore down
All six members of the Commission of Fine Arts -- the panel that is supposed to review this construction project -- were fired as crews tore down building's section.
—
Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 31 Oct. 2025
The Madison Avenue office served as JPMorgan’s temporary headquarters while 270 Park was going up (the bank tore down its old headquarters to build 270, taking advantage of the Midtown East rezoning to go bigger).
—Kim Velsey, Curbed, 9 Oct. 2025
Falvey and Zoll got promotions off last year’s collapse, made no big offseason moves, tore down the roster months after picking up Baldelli’s option and then fired the manager when the team predictably limped to the finish line once the front office hoisted the white flag on July 31.
—Aaron Gleeman, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
There was also a large protest at UCSD on May 6, 2024, when authorities, at Khosla’s request, tore down a pro-Palestinian encampment on Library Walk, near Geisel Library.
—Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Sep. 2025
Because under the Biden administration, the FDA tore down nearly every safety regulation surrounding the drug.
—Lila Rose, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025
The occupiers tore down fences, carved new roads on the reserve and posted armed guards during their 41-day occupation, former Idaho Statesman reporter Rocky Barker wrote at the time.
—Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 7 Sep. 2025
The doc by Nim Shapira focuses on the street war that broke out between pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian groups that tore down each other’s messages about the 250 hostages taken by Hamas during the October 7 terror attack in Israel.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 5 Sep. 2025
James tore down the woodshed and devised a trellis system of wooden poles and metal pipes that could be expanded as the rose tree continued to grow.
—Olivia Rose, AZCentral.com, 14 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tore down
Verb
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The Palisades fire killed 12 people and destroyed more than 6,000 structures, becoming the third-most destructive fire in state history.—
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One year after the Palisades Fire leveled entire neighborhoods and destroyed thousands of homes, one Malibu resident is stepping up to help rebuild his community with his architectural expertise.—
Verb
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In 2024, the abanonded LaGrave Field baseball stadium was demolished.—
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The tall high-rise buildings not demolished in Gaza City are seen in the far distance.—
Verb
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McKenzie and Sebastian's decision to embrace the unexpected made their wedding even better when an opposite reaction to the rain could have ruined the whole celebration.—
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But becoming the operator ruined the magic.—
Verb
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Just as Victor appeared to break open, Jackson leaped into the air, stretched his right arm skyward and pulled down a dazzling one-handed catch at the 3-yard line.—
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However, questions about the Pike statue in the nation's capital were raised years before it was pulled down.—
Verb
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By the afternoon, the store had reopened, but the front door's glass remained shattered, with a large banner placed in front of the entrance, the local station reported.—
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The Kohbergers’ pride in Bryan was shattered by the revelation that he was suspected of and later admitted to the slaughter.—
Verb
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But the Panthers could only score 10 points, as Denver’s fearsome pass rush wrecked Carolina’s best chance at a Super Bowl win.—
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McIndoe really wrecked the curve on this one.—
Verb
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Though not every gallery has reopened since hurricanes devastated the island, the community brought back the Matlacha Art Walk in 2025.—
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There had been an influx of increasingly cataclysmal news out of Gaza, and Ben Hania made efforts to stay as informed as possible, but Hind’s innocent voice devastated her anew.—
Verb
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The engine compartment caught fire, so the agent smashed a window to help free her.—
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Windows smashed, citizens detained, citizens shot.—
Cite this Entry
“Tore down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tore%20down. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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