tear

To damage something or split it into pieces by pulling it apart.

• Do not tear the paper.
• I tore my shirt on a nail.
• She has torn the letter into pieces.

How to use it: tear something into something (She tore the letter into tiny pieces.)

Similar words: rip, rend

Opposites: mend

Common phrases: tear something up, tear something apart, tear the paper

To remove something by pulling it hard or ripping it away.

• Tear the label off carefully.
• He tore a page out of the book.
• The wind had torn the roof from the shed.

How to use it: tear something out of something (He tore a page out of his notebook.); tear something off something (She tore the label off the bottle.); tear something from something (The wind tore a branch from the tree.)

Similar words: rip off, pull off

Common phrases: tear something off, tear something out, tear something away

To develop a hole or split, often because of pulling or catching on something.

• Thin paper can tear easily.
• My trousers tore at the knee.
• The bag had torn under the weight.

Similar words: rip, split

Common phrases: tear easily, tear at seams, tear under pressure

If your eyes do this, they fill with water because of emotion or irritation.

• My eyes tear in strong wind.
• She teared up during the speech.
• Do you tear up at sad movies?

How to use it: tear up (I tear up whenever I hear that song.)

Similar words: water, well up

Common phrases: tear up, begin to tear, tear from smoke

A drop of liquid from your eye when you cry or when something irritates it.

• A tear rolled down her cheek.
• She wiped away her tears.
• Onions always bring tears to my eyes.

How to use it: tears of something (She cried tears of relief.); in tears (He left the room in tears.)

Common phrases: tear of joy, shed a tear, wipe a tear

A hole or split in material caused by pulling or ripping it.

• There is a tear in your shirt.
• She repaired two tears in the curtain.
• A small tear ran along the edge of the paper.

How to use it: tear in something (There is a tear in my coat.)

Similar words: rip, split

Common phrases: tear in something, small tear, repair a tear

A period of wild, uncontrolled activity, often involving anger or violence.

• He was on a tear last night.
• They went on a tear through the empty building.
• Her angry tear left the kitchen in ruins.

How to use it: go on a tear (He went on a tear and smashed several chairs.)

Similar words: rampage

Common phrases: on a tear, a wild tear