rift

1 of 2

noun

ˈrift 

1

a

: fissure, crevasse

a rift in the rock

b

: fault sense 4

2

: a clear space or interval

rifts in the clouds

3

: breach, estrangement

a rift in the family

rift

2 of 2

verb

rifted; rifting; rifts

intransitive verb

: to burst open

transitive verb

1

: cleave, divide

hills were rifted by the earthquake

2

: penetrate

Synonyms of rift

Noun

• fissure
• crevice

Examples of rift in a Sentence

Noun

The fight will only widen the rift with his brother.

the rift in the rock

We could see some stars through the rifts in the clouds.

Scientists are studying the Mid-Atlantic Rift.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Like Cynthia notes, clearly the rift between Porsha and Shamea is bigger than the show, but from a viewer’s perspective, only one party continues to throw daggers. —Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 15 June 2026

But his different views of finding loopholes when compared to his younger brother’s aspirations of working in medicine caused an unspoken rift between Charlie and Sue. —Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 13 June 2026

Verb

There are other tectonic settings on Earth where continents rift apart and eventually form new oceans — such as the East African Rift, which is in the process of splitting into two tectonic plates — but the San Andreas system is not one of them. —Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 13 June 2026

How will rift with Cunningham affect 2026 session? —Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 25 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, of Scandinavian origin; akin to Danish & Norwegian rift fissure, Old Norse rīfa to rive — more at rive

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Phrases Containing rift

• heal the rift/breach
• rift valley

Rhymes for rift

• clift
• drift
• gift
• lift
• miffed
• shift
• shrift
• sift
• sniffed
• thrift
• tift
• adrift

Kids Definition

rift

1 of 2 noun

ˈrift 

1

a

: an opening made by splitting or separation : cleft

b

: a normal geological fault

2

: a break in friendly relations : breach

rift

2 of 2 verb

: cleave entry 2, split