1
as in rips
to cause (something) to separate into jagged pieces by violently pulling at it
angrily tore the letter to shreds
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in yanks
to separate or remove by forceful pulling
tore the book from his hand
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in rushes
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
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Recent Examples of tears
Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 27 Apr. 2026
Tatum also knows the value of peer support after leaning on players like Tyrese Haliburton, Damian Lillard and Dejounte Murray — all of whom suffered Achilles tears last season — during his recovery.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 27 Apr. 2026
The video circulating online shows Megan in tears while receiving roaring applause from the crowd on Saturday night, April 25.
—Taylor Ardrey, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2026
Through choreography that feels more appropriate for the Silver Slipper than a wedding, Cassie shimmies up and down the dance floor with tears in her eyes as the attendees smile and cheer for the happy couple.
—Zoe Papelis, Vulture, 27 Apr. 2026
In his introductory news conference at Halas Hall, Benson said those were tears of relief after being grilled by NFL teams over two arrests during his college years.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
Vince won the case at trial, though Linda was reportedly left in tears when an exchange in court revealed another Vince affair.
—Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
Troy Brown was in tears Monday while talking about his son, who died in the shooting.
—Zoe Sottile, CNN Money, 20 Apr. 2026
Fire tears through 5 buildings Smoke detectors were heard screeching up and down the block when firefighters arrived.
—Christina Fan, CBS News, 18 Apr. 2026
Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026
Inheritance often tears families apart and much of that conflict is rooted in poor communication.
—R. Eric Thomas, Mercury News, 24 Apr. 2026
Jeffries tears into DeSantis as 'charismatically challenged' over redistricting gambit.
—FOXNews.com, 24 Apr. 2026
The company regularly buys brand-new devices and tears them to pieces.
—Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
As the GIs raise their guns, a pudgy hand in the backseat tears a strip of white cloth from his companion’s petticoat for the chauffeur to hang out the window.
—Alice Kaplan, The New York Review of Books, 4 Apr. 2026
If the oyster tears slightly, don’t panic; flavor matters much more than perfection.
—Rai Mincey, Southern Living, 10 Mar. 2026
His scientist creator, Victor Frankenstein, reluctantly agrees, but at the last moment tears the unfinished mate limb from limb as the creature watches on in horror.
—Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 6 Mar. 2026
Under her watch, Americans have been murdered in cold blood, DHS has obstructed lawful congressional oversight, dismissed credible reports of abuse, carried out an extreme agenda that tears families apart and destabilizes communities.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 5 Feb. 2026
Noun
McEntire, Stefani and Legend were brought to tears by Carter's emotional performance.
—Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 27 Apr. 2026
Tatum also knows the value of peer support after leaning on players like Tyrese Haliburton, Damian Lillard and Dejounte Murray — all of whom suffered Achilles tears last season — during his recovery.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 27 Apr. 2026
The video circulating online shows Megan in tears while receiving roaring applause from the crowd on Saturday night, April 25.
—Taylor Ardrey, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2026
Through choreography that feels more appropriate for the Silver Slipper than a wedding, Cassie shimmies up and down the dance floor with tears in her eyes as the attendees smile and cheer for the happy couple.
—Zoe Papelis, Vulture, 27 Apr. 2026
In his introductory news conference at Halas Hall, Benson said those were tears of relief after being grilled by NFL teams over two arrests during his college years.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
Vince won the case at trial, though Linda was reportedly left in tears when an exchange in court revealed another Vince affair.
—Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
Troy Brown was in tears Monday while talking about his son, who died in the shooting.
—Zoe Sottile, CNN Money, 20 Apr. 2026
Fire tears through 5 buildings Smoke detectors were heard screeching up and down the block when firefighters arrived.
—Christina Fan, CBS News, 18 Apr. 2026
Verb
Drink, drugs and sometimes tears.
—Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026
Inheritance often tears families apart and much of that conflict is rooted in poor communication.
—R. Eric Thomas, Mercury News, 24 Apr. 2026
Jeffries tears into DeSantis as 'charismatically challenged' over redistricting gambit.
—FOXNews.com, 24 Apr. 2026
The company regularly buys brand-new devices and tears them to pieces.
—Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
As the GIs raise their guns, a pudgy hand in the backseat tears a strip of white cloth from his companion’s petticoat for the chauffeur to hang out the window.
—Alice Kaplan, The New York Review of Books, 4 Apr. 2026
If the oyster tears slightly, don’t panic; flavor matters much more than perfection.
—Rai Mincey, Southern Living, 10 Mar. 2026
His scientist creator, Victor Frankenstein, reluctantly agrees, but at the last moment tears the unfinished mate limb from limb as the creature watches on in horror.
—Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 6 Mar. 2026
Under her watch, Americans have been murdered in cold blood, DHS has obstructed lawful congressional oversight, dismissed credible reports of abuse, carried out an extreme agenda that tears families apart and destabilizes communities.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 5 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tears
Noun
-
The skirt, with its front and back slits and pockets, echo the design details found in Beckham's namesake ready-to-wear collection, which similarly blends feminine and utilitarian elements.—
Claire Peltier,
ABC News,
24 Apr. 2026
-
When a single photon is sent through the wall, classical physics assumes that the photon will travel through either of the slits and reach the other side.—
Ameya Paleja,
Interesting Engineering,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Anderson’s feat is overshadowed by Shaquille O’Neal, who rips down the backboard in the first quarter, delaying the game 45 minutes.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Continue reading … TICKING CLOCK — CNN host Michael Smerconish rips Democrats for hiding behind War Powers deadline.—
,
FOXNews.com,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Maden takes thee wine bottle from him and the officers reach for his wrists but Brown resists and yanks his arms back, the video shows.—
Rocco Parascandola,
New York Daily News,
19 Apr. 2026
-
Leaphorn yanks the jug his way (despite being cuffed) and is able to put the filter packet down his pants.—
Jordan Hoffman,
Entertainment Weekly,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The fate of a key government surveillance tool is expected to be decided next week, as House GOP leadership rushes to reauthorize the program before an April 30 deadline.—
Hailey Bullis,
The Washington Examiner,
26 Apr. 2026
-
On a second-period power play, the Penguins allowed three odd-man rushes against.—
Josh Yohe,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Uncle Mo and Forte were late scratches.—
Jerry Brewer,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Skipping this step—and dragging loose, abrasive particles under a wet cloth—could lead to scratches on your floors.—
Louise Parks,
Martha Stewart,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Ebuehi starts to drive away as the officer reaches out and grabs Ebuehi and the scooter.—
Naveen Dhaliwal,
CBS News,
23 Apr. 2026
-
The zookeeper grabs him and delivers the line of the year.—
Samantha Agate,
Miami Herald,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Its untapped reserves are being wasted as the world races toward an era of abundant renewable energy.—
Judah Taub,
semafor.com,
30 Apr. 2026
-
The film unfolds in Kathmandu, where a mother races to shield her nine-year-old daughter from a sudden and troubling change – a journey that forces both characters to reckon with trauma and with a legal system ill-equipped to deliver justice.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The law speeds a notoriously slow process and allows state parks officials to more easily buy lands for less than $1 million or take free donations from environmental groups if the properties abut existing state parks and won’t require hiring new rangers or other staff.—
Paul Rogers,
Mercury News,
22 Apr. 2026
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This approach not only speeds up decision-making but also improves hiring quality by making comparisons between candidates more objective and data-driven.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
20 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tears.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tears. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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