tear at

phrase

: to cause anguish to : distress
her grief tore at his heart

Examples of tear at in a Sentence

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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.
As the deli’s surveillance video rolled, his client went from calmly standing at the counter with a bottle of Gatorade to staggering to the floor, clutching his leg and tearing at his pants. — Alison J. Stein, HubSpot, 1 Sep. 2026 Our own president and his rogue administration threaten our rights and freedoms, seek to dismantle our democracy, and tear at the Constitution. — Katie Mulvaney, The Providence Journal, 25 Aug. 2026 After roughly 30 years, animal pelts can lose moisture and become brittle, meaning a coat that looks perfectly fine on the rack may begin to tear at stress points or shed once worn regularly. — Rachel Silva, Martha Stewart, 14 Aug. 2026 According to Geist, a bull will dig a wallow with his front feet, bugling and tearing at the ground with his antlers while digging. — Alex Robinson, Outdoor Life, 12 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for tear at

Rhymes for tear at

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Browse Nearby Words

tear around
tear at
tearaway
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Cite this Entry

“Tear at.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tear%20at. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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