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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

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

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
In addition to pain, light sensitivity and obscured vision, acanthamoeba keratitis can also cause redness, dryness, excessive tears and a sensation of a foreign body in the eye. Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 10 Jan. 2026 Poppy does her best to hold back tears and doesn't respond. Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 10 Jan. 2026
Verb
Unbeknownst to him, the Creature manages to escape by using his supernatural strength to tear off his chains and scuttle through a drainage pipe to freedom. Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Jan. 2026 That’s not to mention backup center Moe Wagner, who continues to rehab his left knee more than a year removed from tearing his ACL. Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for tear
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tear
Noun
  • From the label's spring 1998 collection, her black and white corset dress featured a plunging neckline and double thigh-high slits.
    Hannah Malach, InStyle, 8 Jan. 2026
  • The back slit, on the other hand, provides enough room to walk and sit freely without feeling restrictive.
    Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 8 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Midway through the third quarter, true freshman linebacker Mason Posa, buried on the depth chart just weeks ago, ripped the ball loose at Washington’s 7-yard line and fell on it himself.
    Ira Gorawara, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2025
  • This is ripped from the news, our dark timeline.
    Andy Hoglund, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Therefore Primate and its promising central character turns more into a typical slasher flick, repeatedly knocking off the swimsuit-wearing teens one by one, his specialty being yanking out jaws and other bloody grossouts.
    Pete Hammond, Deadline, 8 Jan. 2026
  • Officer Alex Millan then yanked open the passenger door of the suspects’ car; at the same time, the car drove forward over the curb.
    Bay Area News Group, Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • His arm was pinned into the back window of a car as a suspect sped away, dragging him across the pavement for about 100 yards, according to court documents.
    Allison Gordon, CNN Money, 9 Jan. 2026
  • By speeding up the transit time of your stomach contents, fiber may reduce the amount of time that stomach acid can irritate your esophagus, Dilley added.
    Maggie O'Neill, Verywell Health, 8 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • James Harden was a late scratch for the Clippers because of right shoulder soreness.
    CBS News, CBS News, 6 Jan. 2026
  • Each goblet is made from break-, chip-, and scratch-resistant glass, and while they’re designed for wine, they can also be used for drinking water, juice, or iced coffee.
    Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Tri-State Fishing and Outdoor Show Don your camo gear and grab your fishing poles for the Tri-State Fishing and Outdoor Show.
    Caroline Ritzie, Cincinnati Enquirer, 7 Jan. 2026
  • The suspects, seen grabbing armfuls of merchandise during multiple rounds of theft, reportedly fled in a U-Haul truck, Lower Merion Police told Fox 29 Philadelphia.
    Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 7 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • The man who once ignored his own safety to scurry out onto a frozen pond, crashing through the ice to rescue my yellow lab.
    Scott Maxwell, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Jan. 2026
  • If seeing one scurrying through your living room sends you scrambling for a quick remedy, your instincts are on track.
    Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 1 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • The Clippers raced to a 14-5 lead, but the Knicks answered with eight straight points and the game was close for the first three quarters.
    CBS News, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026
  • In Altadena, employees with the small local water utilities raced across town protecting and fixing the water systems firefighters relied on.
    Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Tear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tear. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on tear

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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