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Definitions

tear into

VERB
attack
Synonyms
STRONG
tackle
WEAK
buckle down deal with dive into plunge into set to start in on take up
Antonyms
WEAK
aid be lazy defend protect resist retreat shelter shield slough off submit support surrender sustain withstand
VERB
commence
Synonyms
STRONGEST
begin inaugurate initiate launch take up
STRONG
arise open originate
WEAK
come into being come into existence embark on enter upon get cracking get going get one's feet wet get show on road hit the ground running jump into kick off lead off start the ball rolling
Antonyms
STRONGEST
close complete conclude end finish stop
WEAK
cease
VERB
dress down
Synonyms
WEAK
bawl out berate carpet castigate censure chew out lash rail rake over coals ream rebuke reprimand reprove tell off tongue-lash upbraid
Antonyms
WEAK
compliment flatter praise
VERB
excoriate
Synonyms
STRONGEST
berate castigate chastise condemn lambaste lash rebuke reproach revile scold upbraid vilify
STRONG
attack blister censure flay reprove scorch slash
WEAK
scathe
Antonyms
STRONGEST
approve compliment flatter praise
WEAK
laud
VERB
lash
Synonyms
STRONGEST
berate castigate scold
STRONG
abuse attack baste belabor blister censure flay fulminate jaw lambaste lampoon ridicule satirize upbraid
WEAK
bawl out chew out exprobate tell off tongue-lash
Antonyms
STRONGEST
compliment praise
STRONG
approve defend flatter protect support
VERB
vilify
Synonyms
STRONGEST
assail berate damn decry defame denigrate denounce disparage malign mistreat revile slander smear
STRONG
abuse asperse attack blister censure curse cuss debase dig jinx knock libel pan rap roast scorch slam slur traduce vituperate voodoo
WEAK
bad-mouth call down caluminate dress down dump on give a black eye mudsling put a whammy on put down rag on rip up run down skin alive speak ill of tear down
Antonyms
STRONGEST
approve cherish commend compliment exalt favor flatter glorify laud praise
STRONG
benefit defend honor protect
VERB
vituperate
Synonyms
STRONG
abuse accuse asperse berate blame calumniate castigate censure condemn curse denounce growl insult lambaste lash malign rail rate reproach revile scold smear traduce upbraid vilify
WEAK
bark at bawl out chew out find fault rip into run down tongue-lash yell at
Antonyms
STRONG
absolve approve commend compliment exculpate exonerate flatter honor laud praise uphold
VERB
wade
Synonyms
STRONGEST
bathe paddle splash stumble trek
STRONG
attack attempt drudge ford initiate labor launch start tackle toil walk
WEAK
fall to get feet wet get stuck in go for jump in light into pitch in set about set to work through
Antonyms
STRONG
avoid be lazy conclude dodge end finish idle ignore laze neglect stop

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.

In their attempt to find a cozy place to rest, bears can destroy insulation, wiring, heating ducts and water and gas lines as they tear into crawl spaces.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 9, 2026

Leave basil leaves whole or tear into 1-inch pieces, and place decoratively on salad.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 5, 2023

Only when he was escorted off did she tear into him for trying to impede her freedom of expression, saying, “Thank you for being here.”

From New York Times • Apr. 4, 2023

I will not be judging you if you just tear into that bread while it's warm.

From Salon • Dec. 20, 2022

You tear into the bagels and slurp up cereal and side-eye the suspicious-looking eggs.

From "Harbor Me" by Jacqueline Woodson