1. To separate or remove something (from something else) by ripping or pulling it out forcefully. A noun or pronoun can be used between "tear" and "out." The accountant started tearing pages out of the ledger and burning them in the fireplace to hide the fraudulent transactions. The cannonball tore out a sizable chunk of the ship's hull.

2. To pull or push someone forcefully out (or something or some place) . A noun or pronoun is used between "tear" and "out." The police tore the suspect out of his car and slammed him onto the ground. The gale-force winds tore the sentry out of the watch tower.

3. To cause someone to leave some state very abruptly or forcibly . A noun or pronoun is used between "tear" and "out." The sound of the alarms tore me out of my daydream. The war tore millions of people out of their normal lives.

4. To remove someone from something or some place very abruptly and forcibly . A noun or pronoun is used between "tear" and "out." The secret police began tearing suspected dissidents out of their homes in the middle of the night. The girl was torn out of her family by child protection services.

5. To leave or depart (from some place) extremely quickly. Suddenly, without saying a word, Mark grabbed his coat and tore out of the room. The officers hopped in the car and tore out, sirens blazing.