Meaning

• To rend (a solid material) by holding or restraining in two places and pulling apart, whether intentionally or not; to destroy or separate.

  "He tore his coat on the nail."

• To injure as if by pulling apart.

  "He has a torn ligament."

• To destroy or reduce abstract unity or coherence, such as social, political or emotional.

  "He was torn by conflicting emotions."

• To make (an opening) with force or energy.

  "A piece of debris tore a tiny straight channel through the satellite."

• (often with off or out) To remove by tearing.

  "Tear the coupon out of the newspaper."

• (of structures, with down) To demolish

  "The slums were torn down to make way for the new development."

• To become torn, especially accidentally.

  "My dress has torn."

• To move or act with great speed, energy, or violence.

  "He tore into the backlog of complaints."

• To smash or enter something with great force.

  "The chain shot tore into the approaching line of infantry."