Tear
Definition, Meaning & Examples
Pronunciation /tɛə/ · Part of speech verb
Quick meaning: Tear is a verb meaning (transitive) To injure as if by pulling apart.
Meaning
(transitive) To injure as if by pulling apart.
More Meanings
- (transitive) To destroy or reduce abstract unity or coherence, such as social, political or emotional.
- (transitive) To make (an opening) with force or energy.
- (transitive, often with off or out) To remove by tearing, or with sudden great force.
- (transitive, of structures, with down) To demolish.
- (intransitive) To become torn, especially accidentally.
- (intransitive) To move or act with great speed, energy, or violence.
- (transitive) To rend (a solid material) by holding or restraining in two places and pulling apart, whether intentionally or not; to destroy or separate.
Example Sentences
He tore his coat on the nail.
He was torn by conflicting emotions.
The artillery tore a gap in the line.
Tear the coupon out of the newspaper.
Word Forms
- tears
- tearing
- teared
Synonyms for tear
Depending on context, synonyms include rend, rip, tear off, snap, charge, rupture.
Related Words
Related dictionary entries include rupture, pluck, deplumate, deplume, displume, snap.
Related Dictionary Tools
Practice “tear” in a Crossword
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Sources & Attribution
FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0
Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.