Definitions

tear into

VERB

attack

Synonyms

STRONG

tackle

WEAK

buckle down deal with dive into plunge into set to start in on take up

Antonyms

WEAK

aid be lazy defend protect resist retreat shelter shield slough off submit support surrender sustain withstand

VERB

commence

Synonyms

STRONGEST

begin inaugurate initiate launch take up

STRONG

arise open originate

WEAK

come into being come into existence embark on enter upon get cracking get going get one's feet wet get show on road hit the ground running jump into kick off lead off start the ball rolling

Antonyms

STRONGEST

close complete conclude end finish stop

WEAK

cease

VERB

dress down

Synonyms

WEAK

bawl out berate carpet castigate censure chew out lash rail rake over coals ream rebuke reprimand reprove tell off tongue-lash upbraid

Antonyms

WEAK

compliment flatter praise

VERB

excoriate

Synonyms

STRONGEST

berate castigate chastise condemn lambaste lash rebuke reproach revile scold upbraid vilify

STRONG

attack blister censure flay reprove scorch slash

WEAK

scathe

Antonyms

STRONGEST

approve compliment flatter praise

WEAK

laud

VERB

lash

Synonyms

STRONGEST

berate castigate scold

STRONG

abuse attack baste belabor blister censure flay fulminate jaw lambaste lampoon ridicule satirize upbraid

WEAK

bawl out chew out exprobate tell off tongue-lash

Antonyms

STRONGEST

compliment praise

STRONG

approve defend flatter protect support

VERB

vilify

Synonyms

STRONGEST

assail berate damn decry defame denigrate denounce disparage malign mistreat revile slander smear

STRONG

abuse asperse attack blister censure curse cuss debase dig jinx knock libel pan rap roast scorch slam slur traduce vituperate voodoo

WEAK

bad-mouth call down caluminate dress down dump on give a black eye mudsling put a whammy on put down rag on rip up run down skin alive speak ill of tear down

Antonyms

STRONGEST

approve cherish commend compliment exalt favor flatter glorify laud praise

STRONG

benefit defend honor protect

VERB

vituperate

Synonyms

STRONG

abuse accuse asperse berate blame calumniate castigate censure condemn curse denounce growl insult lambaste lash malign rail rate reproach revile scold smear traduce upbraid vilify

WEAK

bark at bawl out chew out find fault rip into run down tongue-lash yell at

Antonyms

STRONG

absolve approve commend compliment exculpate exonerate flatter honor laud praise uphold

VERB

wade

Synonyms

STRONGEST

bathe paddle splash stumble trek

STRONG

attack attempt drudge ford initiate labor launch start tackle toil walk

WEAK

fall to get feet wet get stuck in go for jump in light into pitch in set about set to work through

Antonyms

STRONG

avoid be lazy conclude dodge end finish idle ignore laze neglect stop

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In their attempt to find a cozy place to rest, bears can destroy insulation, wiring, heating ducts and water and gas lines as they tear into crawl spaces.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 9, 2026

Ms Makan said that she is not trying to encourage people to "tear into" restaurants.

From BBC • Feb. 16, 2025

We serve it with a ton of fresh herbs to tear into it and add a freshness.

From Salon • Aug. 20, 2024

Leave basil leaves whole or tear into 1-inch pieces, and place decoratively on salad.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 5, 2023

She slices a grapefruit and sets each half-moon before us with a special spoon that has prickly edges so we can tear into it.

From "Lucky Broken Girl" by Ruth Behar

tear into

Example Sentences

Related Words