TEAR Synonyms: 158 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'tear' different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of tear are cleave , rend , rip , rive , and split . While all these words mean "to separate forcibly," tear implies pulling apart by force and leaving jagged edges. // tear up the letter

Q: When could 'cleave' be used to replace 'tear'?

In some situations, the words cleave and tear are roughly equivalent. However, cleave implies very forceful splitting or cutting with a blow. // a bolt of lightning cleaved the giant oak

Q: When can 'rend' be used instead of 'tear'?

While in some cases nearly identical to tear , rend implies very violent or ruthless severing or sundering. // an angry mob rent the prisoner's clothes

Q: In what contexts can 'rip' take the place of 'tear'?

The meanings of rip and tear largely overlap; however, rip implies a pulling apart in one rapid uninterrupted motion often along a line or joint. // ripped the shirt on a nail

Q: When is 'rive' a more appropriate choice than 'tear'?

The words rive and tear can be used in similar contexts, but rive occurs most often in figurative use. // a political party riven by conflict

Q: When would 'split' be a good substitute for 'tear'?

The words split and tear are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, split implies a cutting or breaking apart in a continuous, straight, and usually lengthwise direction or in the direction of grain or layers. // split logs for firewood

tear 1 of 2

noun

ˈter

Definition of tear

as in slit

a long deep cut repaired a tear in the theater curtain just before the start of the show

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

tear

2 of 2

verb

ˈter

as in to rip

to cause (something) to separate into jagged pieces by violently pulling at it angrily tore the letter to shreds

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in to yank

to separate or remove by forceful pulling tore the book from his hand

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

reattach

as in to speed

to proceed or move quickly she tore out of the room as soon as the phone started to ring

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word tear different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of tear are cleave, rend, rip, rive, and split. While all these words mean "to separate forcibly," tear implies pulling apart by force and leaving jagged edges.

tear up the letter

When could cleave be used to replace tear?

In some situations, the words cleave and tear are roughly equivalent. However, cleave implies very forceful splitting or cutting with a blow.

a bolt of lightning cleaved the giant oak

When can rend be used instead of tear?

While in some cases nearly identical to tear, rend implies very violent or ruthless severing or sundering.

an angry mob rent the prisoner's clothes

In what contexts can rip take the place of tear?

The meanings of rip and tear largely overlap; however, rip implies a pulling apart in one rapid uninterrupted motion often along a line or joint.

ripped the shirt on a nail

When is rive a more appropriate choice than tear?

The words rive and tear can be used in similar contexts, but rive occurs most often in figurative use.

a political party riven by conflict

When would split be a good substitute for tear?

The words split and tear are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, split implies a cutting or breaking apart in a continuous, straight, and usually lengthwise direction or in the direction of grain or layers.

split logs for firewood

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of tear

Noun

Through tears comes motivation to help other special needs families. — Megan Shinn, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026 After a promising rookie season with the Colts, Woods missed the next two years because of a hamstring tear and major turf toe surgery. — Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 24 Aug. 2026

Verb

More studies are showing the wide-ranging negative health impacts of inhaling wildfire smoke, which is especially toxic when blazes tear through urban areas and burn up household appliances, batteries and chemicals. — ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026 Tropical Storm Moke is making its closest approach to Hawaii as the state braces for its second tropical threat in less than a week after deadly Hurricane Lala tore through parts of the islands. — Tyler Ory, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for tear

Recent Examples of Synonyms for tear

Noun

The actress went strapless in a corseted leopard print Givenchy dress complete with a giant bow and a sultry thigh-high slit.

— Hannah Malach, InStyle, 27 Aug. 2026
His girlfriend, actor and model Elizabeth Hurley, wore a purple dress with a long slit to mark the occasion.

— Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of slit

Verb

The trooper grabs the man by his wrist and his dreadlocks and began yanking his upper body through the window, the video shows.

— Daniel McFadin, Arkansas Online, 31 Aug. 2026
As the man was unconscious, Slawson was accused of yanking the suspect out of the police vehicle, causing the man to hit and split his head on the concrete, the press release stated.

— Christian Cervantes, AZCentral.com, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of yank

Noun

Jena Johnson’s daughter can expect one heckuva wedding after lottery officials said the Chatham County middle school teacher won a $10 million jackpot on a North Carolina scratch-off ticket.

— Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 29 Aug. 2026
Three of the jail guards sustained minor injuries and scratches, Bland said.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of scratch

Verb

Hikers often spot these charismatic creatures perched on boulders or scurrying through wildflowers.

— Brittany Peterson, Fortune, 21 Aug. 2026
Inside Botánica Santo Tomas in Wilton Manors, store owner Héctor Giovanni Pizarro Santana sweeps the floor as his tiny Chihuahua, Bella, scurries behind him.

— Delia Sauer, Miami Herald, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of scurry

Verb

Dustin Arnold, were racing as fast as 120 mph in order to get to the scene.

— Daniel McFadin, Arkansas Online, 27 Aug. 2026
In the span of less than a week this July, surgeons at a Southern California hospital raced to save the lives of two women suffering from alarmingly similar brain hemorrhages.

— Blake Ellis, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of race

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tea party

tear

tearaway

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“Tear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tear. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of tear

noun

verb

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Synonyms of tear

noun

verb

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Example Sentences

Phrases Containing tear

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Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on tear

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

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A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

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