Tear at is a multi-purpose phrase that commonly refers to something ripping or breaking apart with force. It can also be used to describe a deep emotional pain or a strong desire to control something. However, if you want to add some variety and avoid using tear at repetitively, there are various synonyms available. Some of the synonyms for tear at include wrench, rip, rend, pull, tug, shred, fray, and snatch. Each of these words has their own unique connotations, so it is important to choose the one that best suits the context and tone of your writing.