tear up

verb

tore up; torn up; tearing up; tears up

transitive verb

1
: to damage, remove, or effect an opening in
tore up the street to lay a new water main
2
: to perform or compete with great success on, in, or against
couples tearing up the dance floor
a batter who's tearing up the league

Examples of tear up in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Rumfield tore up spring training to earn the job after being acquired via a January trade with the Yankees for reliever Angel Chivilli. Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 30 Apr. 2026 This way, the knives won’t unwrap during the move and be damaged or tear up other items in the moving box. Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Apr. 2026 Before Trick Williams entered the ring, Matrick Belton was tearing up the football field. Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 25 Apr. 2026 At least Fred looks truly torn up about his role in this tragedy. Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 24 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for tear up

Word History

First Known Use

1620, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of tear up was in 1620

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tear up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tear%20up. Accessed 3 May. 2026.

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