tear apart


1

Upset or make distraught, as in The parents' divorce tore apart the grandparents. [Second half of 1800s]

2

Criticize severely, as in The professor tore her paper apart. [Mid-1900s]

3

Search some place completely, as in The police tore the house apart. [Second half of 1900s]

4

Separate, especially unwillingly, as in The war tore many families apart.

Words nearby tear apart