The term 'tears to pieces' can be described by four crossword solutions: RENDS (5 letters), MAULS (5 letters), RIPSUP (6 letters), and SHREDS (6 letters). RENDS means to tear apart or split into two or more pieces. MAULS means to tear or injure something with great force. Ripsup means to tear something apart violently. SHREDS means to tear something into small pieces. All of these words describe the action of tearing something apart, which is what the phrase 'tears to pieces' implies.