Phrase guide

tear away

verb · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To remove (oneself or another person), overcoming that person's reluctance to be so removed.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: often, reflexive, transitive

Examples

  • I couldn't tear myself away from the movie after I had begun watching it.
  • Could I please tear you away from that video game for a moment?

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see tear, away.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

rip off violently and forcefully

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • The passing bus tore off her side mirror

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: tear off

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: remove, take, take away, withdraw

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

11 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: repiä irti — (transitive) to remove a reluctant person
  • Polish: odrywać — (transitive) to remove a reluctant person
  • Polish: oderwać — (transitive) to remove a reluctant person
  • Ukrainian: відрива́ти (vidryváty) — (transitive) to remove a reluctant person
  • Ukrainian: відірва́ти (vidirváty) — (transitive) to remove a reluctant person
  • Finnish: irtautua — (reflexive) to remove oneself reluctantly
  • Russian: отрыва́ться (otryvátʹsja) — (reflexive) to remove oneself reluctantly
  • Russian: оторва́ться (otorvátʹsja) — (reflexive) to remove oneself reluctantly
  • Swedish: slita sig (från) — (reflexive) to remove oneself reluctantly
  • Ukrainian: відрива́тися (vidryvátysja) — (reflexive) to remove oneself reluctantly
  • Ukrainian: відірва́тися (vidirvátysja) — (reflexive) to remove oneself reluctantly