to tear down / tear off / break off
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to tear down
To systematically destroy and remove a building or another structure; to demolish.
Das alte, baufällige Haus an der Ecke wird nächste Woche abgerissen.
The old, dilapidated house on the corner will be torn down next week.
'Abreißen' (to tear down / tear off / break off) is a separable verb. The prefix 'ab-' goes to the end of the main clause. In subordinate clauses and in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb stays together.
Die Baufirma reißt das alte Lagerhaus ab.
The construction company is tearing down the old warehouse.
In the meaning of 'demolieren' (to demolish), 'abreißen' (to tear down) is used almost exclusively for buildings and large structures. Typical objects are 'ein Gebäude' (a building), 'ein Haus' (a house), 'eine Brücke' (a bridge), or 'eine Mauer' (a wall).
Die alte Fabrik wurde letztes Jahr abgerissen.
The old factory was torn down last year.
This meaning is metaphorical and is used for abstract things. The subject is often the thing that stops, not a person. Typical subjects are 'der Kontakt' (contact), 'die Verbindung' (connection), 'das Gespräch' (the conversation), or 'eine Serie' (a series).
Nach dem Streit ist der Kontakt zwischen ihnen abgerissen.
After the argument, contact between them broke off.
to build
'bauen' and 'abreißen' form a clear contrast when it comes to buildings and structures. With 'bauen', a house, a wall, or another structure is created. With 'abreißen', something like that is destroyed and removed again. So both words belong to the area of construction and buildings, but they describe opposite directions: making something new or taking something away.
Heute reißen sie das alte Lagerhaus am Fluss ab.
Today they are tearing down the old warehouse by the river.
Neben der Schule bauen Arbeiter eine neue Sporthalle.
Workers are building a new sports hall next to the school.