Tear at Meaning in English
expression
ˈtɛɹ/, /ˈtɪɹ/ /ˈæt
TAIR-at or TIR-at
tɪə/ /ˈæt
TEER-at
Definition
To pull or rip something forcefully or repeatedly, often with hands or claws. It can also describe a feeling or emotion that bothers or hurts someone deeply.
Usage & Nuances
Often used for physical actions like 'tear at the paper' or 'the dog tears at the bone', but also common for emotional struggles ('guilt tore at him'). More vivid and aggressive than just 'tear'. Can suggest repeated or desperate action.
Spanish: arrancar - desgarrar - atacar con fuerzaPortuguese (BR): arrancar - rasgar - atacarPortuguese (PT): arrancar - rasgar - atacarChinese (Simplified): 撕扯 - 猛拉Chinese (Traditional): 撕扯 - 猛拉Hindi: नोचना - झपटनाArabic: يمزق بشدة - يهاجم بعنفBengali: ছেড়ে ছিঁড়ে ফেলা - আক্রমণ করাRussian: рвать на себе - терзатьJapanese: 引き裂く - 激しく引っ張るVietnamese: xé ra - cào xéKorean: 찢다 - 마구 잡아당기다Turkish: yırtmak - saldırmakUrdu: نوچنا - زور سے کھینچناIndonesian: merobek - merobek dengan kuat
Example Sentences
The cat tears at the pillow with its claws.
basic
She began to tear at the wrapping paper.
basic
The hungry dogs tore at the meat.
basic
Grief would tear at her heart every time she passed his photo.
natural
He tried to ignore the doubts that tore at his mind.
natural
Kids would tear at their food impatiently when hungry.
natural