tear at
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Sense 1
Meaning · English
To pull at violently.
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
When the house was empty she went from room to room. Ripping sheets from beds and tearing at them and kicking over nightstands and busting mirrors.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Sense 2
Meaning · English
To afflict or aggrieve.
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “tear at” mean?
To pull at violently.
Is “tear at” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.