tear apart

To pull something so hard that it splits into pieces.

• The dog tore my sock apart.
• She tore apart the letter with her hands.
• Can you tear this thick cloth apart?

How to use it: tear something apart (She tore the paper apart.); tear apart something (He tore apart the old shirt.)

Similar words: rip apart, tear up

Common phrases: tear apart something, tear apart paper

To force people or things to separate suddenly or painfully.

• The war tore families apart.
• Their bitter argument tore the group apart.
• Nothing will tear us apart again.

How to use it: tear someone/something apart (The conflict tore the family apart.)

Similar words: separate, divide, split up

Opposites: unite

Common phrases: tear apart someone, tear apart families

To badly damage something so that it is ruined.

• The storm tore apart the village.
• A huge explosion tore the bridge apart.
• Years of war have torn the country apart.

How to use it: tear something apart (The explosion tore the factory apart.)

Similar words: destroy, wreck, devastate

Opposites: build, repair

Common phrases: tear apart something, tear apart a building

To beat an opponent very easily and by a large amount.

• Our team tore them apart.
• The champions tore apart their opponents in the final.
• Will the visitors tear us apart again?

How to use it: tear someone/something apart (Our team tore their defense apart.)

Similar words: crush, thrash, trounce

Opposites: lose to

Common phrases: tear apart someone, tear apart a team