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Definitions

tear apart

VERB
abuse
Synonyms
STRONGEST
insult offend persecute revile
STRONG
backbite bash belittle berate calumniate cap castigate decry defame derogate discount knock minimize nag oppress reproach ride scold signify slam slap smear sound trash upbraid vilify vituperate zing
WEAK
bad-mouth blow off cuss out cut down cut to the quick do a number on dump on give a black eye hurl brickbat pick on put down rag on rip up run down sling mud swear at
Antonyms
STRONGEST
compliment
STRONG
approve exalt flatter laud praise
WEAK
acclaim adulate benefit care for cherish commend defend esteem help honor preserve prize protect respect revere treasure
VERB
burst
Synonyms
STRONGEST
blow break crack detonate disintegrate erupt explode pop rupture rush shatter
STRONG
discharge fracture fragment perforate pierce prick puncture run shiver splinter split spout
WEAK
fly open gush forth rend asunder
Antonyms
STRONGEST
join
STRONG
combine
VERB
censure
Synonyms
STRONGEST
admonish berate castigate chastise chide denounce discipline rebuff rebuke reprimand reproach scold
STRONG
abuse animadvert asperse attack backbite blame cavil contemn denigrate deprecate disapprove disparage impugn incriminate judge knock lecture ostracize remonstrate reprehend reprove upbraid
WEAK
carp at cut up exprobate find fault with get after look askance pick apart pull apart read out take to task tell off
Antonyms
STRONGEST
approve commend compliment flatter forgive laud praise
STRONG
agree cherish defend endorse protect sanction
WEAK
allow permit
VERB
rebuke
Synonyms
STRONGEST
admonish berate castigate censure chide go after oppose reprimand reproach scold upbraid
STRONG
blame fry give a talking-to jawbone lecture lesson monish pay rake read reprehend reprove rip zap
WEAK
bawl out call on the carpet carp on chew out climb all over dress down jump down one's throat jump on lay into lean on sit on sound off take to task tell off tick off
Antonyms
STRONGEST
approve compliment flatter laud praise

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.

Teams just cannot cope with their pace, passing and pressing - and they continue to tear apart any team in their way.

From BBC • Jul. 9, 2025

At 3:45 a.m., a fire unit on the southern front asks if they can “order an excavator to tear apart some buildings that are partially down,” as “they’re throwing off a pretty serious ember cast.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 17, 2025

Instead, as Merry’s memo charges, the advisers simply helped Yeltsin’s people tear apart their economies.

From Slate • Dec. 23, 2024

Egypt warned Israel and the U.S. that any military operations in the zone “could tear apart our peace,” a second Egyptian official said.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 25, 2024

You’ll tear apart Olympus before Gaia even wakes up.

From "Blood of Olympus" by Rick Riordan