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

As the Cardinals announced that Ed was presenting Scott with his ring, the son burst into tears. — Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 10 Aug. 2026 Designed to be abrasion and tear-resistant, these are shorts made for the long haul. — Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 10 Aug. 2026

Verb

Clark's boyfriend, Chance Allison, fought to free her from the animal while calling 911, but one of her arms was severed and the other was nearly torn off. — Amber Harding Outkick, FOXNews.com, 10 Aug. 2026 For the rest, the military has influenced governments from the shadows, propping up civilian governments and tearing them down as needed. — Hasan Ali, Christian Science Monitor, 10 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for tear

Recent Examples of Synonyms for tear

Noun

Accompanied by Cyrus and her 24-year-old son Damian at the Olivier Awards, Hurley opted for a plunging Zuhair Murad dress with a thigh-high slit and delicate draping.

— Hannah Malach, InStyle, 7 Aug. 2026
But the Jack-o’-Lantern’s telltale gills, or long, deep slits under the cap, will set you straight, since the chicken of the woods has pores underneath instead.

— Katie Hill, Outdoor Life, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of slit

Verb

In the fifth, Bregman ripped a sweeper from Jake Bird into the visitors' bullpen in left for a three-run shot to cap the Cubs' four-run inning.

— CBS News, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026
Winds ripped gutters from cottages where staff members live during the school year and tore the face from a clock tower that has stood at the school since its founding more than a century ago.

— Lila Hempel-Edgers, Chicago Tribune, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of rip

Verb

The officer is also seen putting a woman in a patrol car — the same woman who is shown on the ground having her hair yanked by an officer.

— Marvin Hurst, CBS News, 7 Aug. 2026
This bestselling line of classic creepy characters is yanked straight from your best memories of Halloween as a child.

— Kelsey Legg, ABC News, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of yank

Noun

Using the wrong type of cleaning product for your tub’s material can result in scratches, discoloration, or chips.

— Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 8 Aug. 2026
One kitten was found dead in the roadway, while a second suffered a dislocated tail and scratches to its ears and was treated by veterinarians.

— Kirsty Hatcher, PEOPLE, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of scratch

Verb

Profanity also grabs attention since the shock value of an F-bomb can lead to more media coverage and clips circulating on social media.

— Jeff Wagner, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026
Alice slowly gets Marshall to lie on the floor, grabs the bottle of whiskey, and pours it into his mouth with glee.

— Erin Qualey, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of grab

Verb

Vaquer took out Rodriguez and Perez in the process before the trio scurried away.

— Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 4 Aug. 2026
While on camera in Los Angeles' Sherman Oaks neighborhood during a live broadcast, a cockroach scurried across Menitoff's blouse and chest before flying away.

— Melina Khan, USA Today, 31 July 2026

Definition of scurry

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tea party

tear

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“Tear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tear. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of tear

noun

verb

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Synonyms of tear

noun

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Phrases Containing tear

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on tear

More from Merriam-Webster

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

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

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Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

'Gaslighting,' 'Woke,' 'Democracy,' and Other Top Lookups

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

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes