TORN Synonyms: 151 Similar and Opposite Words

torn

verb

Definition of torn

past participle of tear

as in ripped

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in grabbed

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

reattached

as in sped

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

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 torn In a state where wildfires have torn through more than 2 million acres in the past decade, dozens of conservation groups are supporting this measure to protect habitats and species. — Neel Dhanesha, Vox, 23 Oct. 2026 The Magic were still without Anthony Black (right ankle sprain) on Wednesday night and will continue to be without Noah Penda (partially torn right hamstring) for an extended period. — Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026 Last year, for the inaugural report (which had a shorter time frame of October 2024 to August 2025), 38,134 acres of wine grapes were torn out. — Lizzie Kane, Sacbee.com, 19 Oct. 2026 Mélenchon, leader of the France Unbowed party, has denounced police tactics against high-school students — in one incident a 15-year-old student had his hand torn off by a police grenade — but has condemned protester violence. — Michael Finnegan, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026 Burdi said that when the hamstring is injured, it's actually partially torn. — Ryan Canfield Outkick, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026 This destruction derby, which was recently observed by the James Webb Space Telescope, has a messy distribution of mass that only makes sense if dark matter and ordinary matter got torn asunder during the collision. — Quanta Magazine, 14 Oct. 2026 Many environmental groups are torn on the topic but still lean toward opposing the legislation. — Jordan Blum, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2026 In Milton, a city in the county, several buildings had their roofs torn off and a gas station awning was ripped apart, according to images from the scene. — Matthew Cappucci, Washington Post, 10 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for torn

Verb

Witnesses said the speeding car jumped over a sidewalk, knocked down a chain-link fence and ripped out another wooden fence before going airborne into the house.

— Tammy Mutasa, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026
When the quarterback sneak is ripped from the playbook, creativity isn’t cute.

— Sam McDowell October 20, Kansas City Star, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of ripped

Verb

Nantz tried to knock the ball from Watt, but hit his wrist hard on the football and immediately grabbed his hand.

— ABC News, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026
The former center grabbed headlines in March for commenting on a Rangers loss that coincided with the team’s Pride Night celebration.

— Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of grabbed

Verb

Crowell snagged Brady Allen's pass and raced 46 yards down the right side for a 17-7 halftime lead.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
Griffin Wilde, who finished with 133 receiving yards, Alex Honig and Drew Wagner caught passes for scores as Northwestern (6-1, 3-1 Big Ten) raced to a 28-3 lead late in the first half.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of raced

Verb

In Spanish cities, a housing supply shortage has worsened thanks to population growth driven by immigration and a proliferation of short-term rentals.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
Those projects speak to her approach more broadly, which is, on balance, less car-driven than Sundwall’s.

— Mark Dee, Idaho Statesman, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of driven

Verb

Michael Whatley‘s campaign against Democrat Roy Cooper on Tuesday evening, even as Republican PACs have quietly pulled funding from the race.

— Mabinty Quarshie, The Washington Examiner, 21 Oct. 2026
Wilson is part of the reason three mothers pulled their children this year from a San Diego-area Christian school, which pursued an affiliation with ACCS.

— ABC News, ABC News, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of pulled

Browse Nearby Words

torments

torn

tornado

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Style

“Torn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/torn. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of torn

verb

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