tear

1 of 4

verb (1)

ˈter

tore ˈtȯr

; torn ˈtȯrn How to pronounce tear (audio)

; tearing

transitive verb

: to separate parts of or pull apart by force : rend

: to wound by or as if by pulling apart by force : lacerate

tear the skin

: to divide or disrupt by the pull of contrary forces

a mind torn with doubts

: to remove by force : wrench

—often used with off

tear a cover off a box

: to remove as if by wrenching

tear your thoughts away from the scene

: to make (a hole or opening) by or as if by pulling apart by force

tear a hole in the wall

intransitive verb

: to separate on being pulled : rend

this cloth tears easily

: to move or act with violence, haste, or force

went tearing down the street

: to smash or penetrate something with violent force

the bullet tore through his leg

tearable

ˈter-ə-bəl How to pronounce tear (audio)

adjective

tearer noun

tear

2 of 4

noun (1)

ˈter

: damage from being torn (see tear entry 1)

especially : a hole or flaw made by tearing

mending a tear in her skirt

: the act of tearing something

: a hurried and violent rush : a tearing pace

the train went by at a tear

: spree

got paid and went on a tear

: a run of unusual success

the team was on a tear

tear

3 of 4

noun (2)

ˈtir

: a drop of clear saline fluid secreted by the lacrimal gland and diffused between the eye and eyelids to moisten the parts and facilitate their motion

tears plural : a secretion of profuse tears that overflow the eyelids and dampen the face

tears plural : an act of weeping or grieving

broke into tears

: a transparent drop of fluid or hardened fluid matter (such as resin)

tearless adjective

tear

4 of 4

verb (2)

ˈtir

teared; tearing; tears

intransitive verb

: to fill with tears (see tear entry 3) : shed tears

eyes tearing in the November wind

Saul Bellow

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1) and Noun (1)

Middle English teren, from Old English teran; akin to Old High German zeran to destroy, Greek derein to skin, Sanskrit dṛṇāti he bursts, tears

Noun (2) and Verb (2)

Middle English, from Old English tæhher, tēar; akin to Old High German zahar tear, Greek dakry

First Known Use

Verb (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun (1)

1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun (2)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb (2)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

tear 1 of 3

noun

ˈtir

: a drop of the salty liquid that moistens the eyes and the inner eyelids and that flows from the eyes when someone is crying

tears plural : an act of crying

I burst into tears.

tear

2 of 3

verb

ˈter

tore

ˈtȯr

; torn

ˈtȯrn

; tearing

: to pull into two or more pieces by force

This paper is easy to tear.

: to wound or injure by or as if by tearing : lacerate

Use an ointment where you tore the skin.

: to remove by force

I tore the notice from the wall.

: to move powerfully or swiftly

A car tore up the street.

tear

3 of 3

noun

ˈter

: damage from being torn

This blanket has a tear in it.

Medical Definition

tear 1 of 4

noun

ˈti(ə)r

: a drop of clear saline fluid secreted by the lacrimal gland and diffused between the eye and eyelids to moisten the parts and facilitate their motion

tears plural : a secretion of profuse tears that overflow the eyelids and dampen the face

: a transparent drop of fluid or hardened fluid matter (as resin)

tear

2 of 4

intransitive verb

: to fill with tears : shed tears

my eyes sting and tear

tear

3 of 4

transitive verb

ˈta(ə)r, ˈte(ə)r How to pronounce tear (audio)

tore ˈtō(ə)r, ˈtȯ(ə)r How to pronounce tear (audio)

; torn ˈtō(ə)rn, ˈtȯ(ə)rn How to pronounce tear (audio)

; tearing

: to wound by or as if by pulling apart by force

tear the skin

tear

4 of 4

noun

: a wound made by tearing a bodily part

a muscle tear

tear 1 of 2

noun

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

slit
rip
scratch
fracture
slash
injury
rent
incision
wound
gash
laceration
abrasion
rupture
scrape
crack
score
snag

tear

2 of 2

verb

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

rip
rend
shred
break
split
ribbon
rupture
cut
rive
tatter
cleave
slash
gash
dissect
lacerate
butcher
hack
incise
mangle
dismember

as in to yank

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

rip
yank
grab
pull
wrench
snatch
pry
wrest
sever
force
seize
extract
dissever
uproot
nab
amputate
jerk
nip
cut (off)
lop (off)
prize
snap (up)
root (out)

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

speed
scurry
hurry
drive
rush
fly
race
travel
trot
rip
chase
zip
blow
jump
run
scoot
buzz
blast
dart
step
dash
bowl
scuttle
bolt
hurl
blaze
zoom
jog
ram
rustle
bundle
shoot
motor
barrel
pelt
breeze
whirl
hurtle
hustle
hie
course
hump
jet
rocket
hasten
hare
belt
cannonball
beat it
bustle
nip
career
whisk
bomb
careen
gallop
highball
step on it
crack (on)
shake a leg
scamper
streak
make tracks
hotfoot (it)
flit
get a move on
beetle
accelerate
scuffle
scud
stampede
sprint
whiz
quicken
step out
arrow
overtake
outrun
outpace
outstrip
catch up
whizz
beeline
fast-forward

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

creep
drag
crawl
poke
hang (around or out)
linger
poke
lag
stroll
tarry
dawdle
saunter
shuffle
amble
lumber
slow (down or up)
decelerate
plod
loiter
dillydally
dally

Synonym Chooser

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

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

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

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

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

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

单词	tear
释义	tear 1 of 4 verb (1) ˈter tore ˈtȯr ; torn ˈtȯrn ; tearing transitive verb 1 a : to separate parts of or pull apart by force : rend b : to wound by or as if by pulling apart by force : lacerate tear the skin 2 : to divide or disrupt by the pull of contrary forces a mind torn with doubts 3 a : to remove by force : wrench —often used with off tear a cover off a box b : to remove as if by wrenching tear your thoughts away from the scene 4 : to make (a hole or opening) by or as if by pulling apart by force tear a hole in the wall intransitive verb 1 : to separate on being pulled : rend this cloth tears easily 2 a : to move or act with violence, haste, or force went tearing down the street b : to smash or penetrate something with violent force the bullet tore through his leg tearable ˈter-ə-bəl adjective tearer noun tear 2 of 4 noun (1) ˈter 1 a : damage from being torn (see tear entry 1) especially : a hole or flaw made by tearing mending a tear in her skirt b : the act of tearing something 2 a : a hurried and violent rush : a tearing pace the train went by at a tear b : spree got paid and went on a tear c : a run of unusual success the team was on a tear tear 3 of 4 noun (2) ˈtir 1 a : a drop of clear saline fluid secreted by the lacrimal gland and diffused between the eye and eyelids to moisten the parts and facilitate their motion b tears plural : a secretion of profuse tears that overflow the eyelids and dampen the face 2 tears plural : an act of weeping or grieving broke into tears 3 : a transparent drop of fluid or hardened fluid matter (such as resin) tearless adjective tear 4 of 4 verb (2) ˈtir teared; tearing; tears intransitive verb : to fill with tears (see tear entry 3) : shed tears eyes tearing in the November wind Saul Bellow Phrases tear at : to cause anguish to : distress her grief tore at his heart tear into : to attack without restraint or caution tear it : to cause frustration, defeat, or an end to plans or hopes that tears it tear one's hair : to pull one's hair as an expression of grief, rage, frustration, desperation, or anxiety also : to feel or display such an emotion Synonyms Verb (1) rend ribbon rip rive shred tatter Noun (1) gash incision laceration rent rip slash slit See all Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Noun (2) And thus he would die—out in the cold world, with no shelter over his homeless head. … And thus SHE would see him when she looked out upon the glad morning, and oh! would she drop one little tear upon his poor, lifeless form, would she heave one little sigh to see a bright young life so rudely blighted, so untimely cut down? Mark Twain, Tom Sawyer, 1876 Word History Etymology Verb (1) and Noun (1) Middle English teren, from Old English teran; akin to Old High German zeran to destroy, Greek derein to skin, Sanskrit dṛṇāti he bursts, tears Noun (2) and Verb (2) Middle English, from Old English tæhher, tēar; akin to Old High German zahar tear, Greek dakry First Known Use Verb (1) before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a Noun (1) 1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1a Noun (2) before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a Verb (2) before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above Phrases Containing tear bring a tear to someone's eye shed a tear on a tear tear gas tear away tear apart tear sheet tear oneself loose/free tear (someone) off a strip wear and tear tear (someone or something) to pieces/shreds tear up tear down tear (someone) limb from limb bring a tear to one's eye tear one's hair out tear into tear at tear one's hair tear it See More bring a tear to someone's eye shed a tear on a tear tear gas tear away tear apart tear sheet tear oneself loose/free tear (someone) off a strip wear and tear tear (someone or something) to pieces/shreds tear up tear down tear (someone) limb from limb bring a tear to one's eye tear one's hair out tear into tear at tear one's hair tear it See More Kids Definition tear 1 of 3 noun ˈtir 1 : a drop of the salty liquid that moistens the eyes and the inner eyelids and that flows from the eyes when someone is crying 2 tears plural : an act of crying I burst into tears. tear 2 of 3 verb ˈter tore ˈtȯr ; torn ˈtȯrn ; tearing 1 : to pull into two or more pieces by force This paper is easy to tear. 2 : to wound or injure by or as if by tearing : lacerate Use an ointment where you tore the skin. 3 : to remove by force I tore the notice from the wall. 4 : to move powerfully or swiftly A car tore up the street. tear 3 of 3 noun ˈter : damage from being torn This blanket has a tear in it. Medical Definition tear 1 of 4 noun ˈti(ə)r 1 a : a drop of clear saline fluid secreted by the lacrimal gland and diffused between the eye and eyelids to moisten the parts and facilitate their motion b tears plural : a secretion of profuse tears that overflow the eyelids and dampen the face 2 : a transparent drop of fluid or hardened fluid matter (as resin) tear 2 of 4 intransitive verb : to fill with tears : shed tears my eyes sting and tear tear 3 of 4 transitive verb ˈta(ə)r, ˈte(ə)r tore ˈtō(ə)r, ˈtȯ(ə)r ; torn ˈtō(ə)rn, ˈtȯ(ə)rn ; tearing : to wound by or as if by pulling apart by force tear the skin tear 4 of 4 noun : a wound made by tearing a bodily part a muscle tear tear 1 of 2 noun 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 slit rip scratch fracture slash injury rent incision wound gash laceration abrasion rupture scrape crack score snag tear 2 of 2 verb 1 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 rip rend shred break split ribbon rupture cut rive tatter cleave slash gash dissect lacerate butcher hack incise mangle dismember 2 as in to yank to separate or remove by forceful pulling tore the book from his hand Synonyms & Similar Words rip yank grab pull wrench snatch pry wrest sever force seize extract dissever uproot nab amputate jerk nip cut (off) lop (off) prize snap (up) root (out) Antonyms & Near Antonyms reattach 3 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 speed scurry hurry drive rush fly race travel trot rip chase zip blow jump run scoot buzz blast dart step dash bowl scuttle bolt hurl blaze zoom jog ram rustle bundle shoot motor barrel pelt breeze whirl hurtle hustle hie course hump jet rocket hasten hare belt cannonball beat it bustle nip career whisk bomb careen gallop highball step on it crack (on) shake a leg scamper streak make tracks hotfoot (it) flit get a move on beetle accelerate scuffle scud stampede sprint whiz quicken step out arrow overtake outrun outpace outstrip catch up whizz beeline fast-forward Antonyms & Near Antonyms creep drag crawl poke hang (around or out) linger poke lag stroll tarry dawdle saunter shuffle amble lumber slow (down or up) decelerate plod loiter dillydally dally See More Synonym Chooser 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 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 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 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 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 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 Phrases Containing tear tear (out) tear down tear one's hair wear and tear tear into tear (out) tear down tear one's hair wear and tear tear into
随便看	spoke spoke (about) spoke (for) spoke (of) spoke (to or with) spoke about spoke auger spoke for spoke of spoke one's mind spoke out spoke to or with spoke up spoked spokeless spoken spoken (for) spoken (to or with) spoken for spoken of spoken one's mind spoken out spoken to or with spoken up spokes

tear

verb (1)

noun (1)

noun (2)

verb (2)

Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

Phrases Containing tear

Kids Definition

noun

verb

noun

Medical Definition

noun

intransitive verb

transitive verb

noun

noun

verb

Synonym Chooser

Phrases Containing tear