Definitions

tear

[teer] / tɪər /

NOUN

rip, cut

Synonyms

STRONGEST

crack hole

STRONG

breach break damage fissure gash imperfection laceration mutilation rent run rupture scratch split tatter

NOUN

wild action

Synonyms

STRONG

bender binge bust carousal carouse drunk spree wassail

VERB

cut, rip an object

Synonyms

STRONGEST

break crack damage divide grab injure mangle pull rive rupture separate sever shred slash snatch split wrench yank

STRONG

claw cleave extract fray frazzle gash impair incise jigsaw lacerate mutilate pluck rend ribbon rift run scratch seize slit sunder wrest

WEAK

evulse pull apart

Antonyms

STRONGEST

attach combine fix join mend sew unite

STRONG

insert

VERB

move very fast

Synonyms

STRONGEST

chase fling rush shoot

STRONG

boil bolt career charge course dart dash fly gallop hurry lash race run speed spring zoom

Antonyms

STRONG

dawdle delay halt slow stay wait walk

WEAK

idle

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Social media can build a star overnight and tear them down just as quickly.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 20, 2026

SpaceX stock has been on a tear to start its life as a public company.

From Barron's • Jun. 16, 2026

Shares of a little-known cloud-computing company that has been striking big deals with tech giants have been on a tear this year.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 16, 2026

I tear up every time I talk about it; I’m getting choked up just writing about it.

From Slate • Jun. 14, 2026

I unravel the twine and unfold the paper, careful not to tear it so we can use it again for something else.

From "The Wrong Way Home" by Kate O’Shaughnessy

tear

Example Sentences

Related Words