Tear apart
verb
To completely destroy or severely damage something.
The tsunami tear apart the entire village
Often appears as...
- tear apart a document
- tear apart a building
verb
To criticize someone or something in a very harsh manner.
The teacher tear apart his essay in front of the entire class
Often appears as...
- tear apart someone's work
- tear apart someone's idea
Usage tips
Disapproving
verb
To separate or cause to separate forcefully or violently.
The two brothers were tear apart by the civil war
Often appears as...
- tear apart a family
- tear apart a relationship
verb
To completely destroy or severely damage something.
The tsunami tear apart the entire village
Often appears as...
- tear apart a document
- tear apart a building
verb
To criticize someone or something in a very harsh manner.
The teacher tear apart his essay in front of the entire class
Often appears as...
- tear apart someone's work
- tear apart someone's idea
Usage tips
Disapproving
verb
To separate or cause to separate forcefully or violently.
The two brothers were tear apart by the civil war
Often appears as...
- tear apart a family
- tear apart a relationship
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Total Destruction
Use 'tear apart' to describe something being completely destroyed, not just damaged.
The earthquake could tear apart the bridge.
Pro Tip 2/3Emotional Impact
This phrase often implies an emotional reaction to the destruction.
Seeing her childhood home torn apart by the storm brought tears to her eyes.
Pro Tip 3/3Strong Visual
Creates a strong visual of something being split into pieces.
The machine tore apart the car for recycling.
Pro Tip 1/3Total Destruction
Use 'tear apart' to describe something being completely destroyed, not just damaged.
The earthquake could tear apart the bridge.
Pro Tip 2/3Emotional Impact
This phrase often implies an emotional reaction to the destruction.
Seeing her childhood home torn apart by the storm brought tears to her eyes.
Pro Tip 3/3Strong Visual
Creates a strong visual of something being split into pieces.
The machine tore apart the car for recycling.
Pro Tip 1/3Total Destruction
Use 'tear apart' to describe something being completely destroyed, not just damaged.
The earthquake could tear apart the bridge.
Pro Tip 2/3Emotional Impact
This phrase often implies an emotional reaction to the destruction.
Seeing her childhood home torn apart by the storm brought tears to her eyes.
Pro Tip 3/3Strong Visual
Creates a strong visual of something being split into pieces.
The machine tore apart the car for recycling.
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