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.

Police in Kenya have fired tear gas to break up a protest in the central town of Nanyuki against the construction of an Ebola quarantine centre for US citizens.

From BBC • Jun. 9, 2026

AFP journalists saw several people arrested by police, who also fired tear gas to disperse the growing crowds.

From Barron's • Jun. 9, 2026

I had to pause momentarily while writing this paragraph just to wipe a tear from the corner of my eye.

From Salon • Jun. 6, 2026

The stock eventually found its footing and went on a tear the next year.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 6, 2026

They lunge and tear and pull and scream until they count us down and we are released.

From "Woodsong" by Gary Paulsen

tear

Example Sentences

Related Words