rift

1 of 2

noun

ˈrift 

1

a

: fissure, crevasse

b

: fault sense 4

2

: a clear space or interval

3

: breach, estrangement

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

Noun

• check
• chink
• cleft
• crack
• cranny
• crevice
• fissure
• split

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

Asked what led to their split, the former couple confessed that the inability to cohabitate caused a rift. —Brendan Le, Peoplemag, 12 Apr. 2024

The rift was a key factor in the dismissal of Gen. Valery Zaluzhny from his post as the nation’s top commander. —Marc Santora, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2024

And there was real-life drama in the family, involving Franklin’s son and Temple’s father, William Franklin, the royal governor of New Jersey, who supported the crown and plotted against the Americans, causing a rift never to heal, which is cataloged here if not explored. —Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2024

The director asked the casting agent to send photos of the background actors, the individual added, which caused a rift and eventually the resignation of the casting company. —Elizabeth Wagmeister, CNN, 9 Apr. 2024

It's revived and amplified domestic political rifts over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's leadership. —USA TODAY, 5 Apr. 2024

By igniting a ferocious war with Israel, the attack has created a significant rift between Hamas and the axis. —Joost Hiltermann, Foreign Affairs, 28 Mar. 2024

The abstention was a sign of the growing rift between the two allies. —Suzanne Nuyen, NPR, 26 Mar. 2024

The development underscores that while rifts have emerged between the United States and Israel over the war's conduct, the Biden administration views weapons transfers as off-limits when considering how to influence the actions of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. —John Hudson The Washington Post, arkansasonline.com, 31 Mar. 2024

Verb

However, the supercontinent began to rift and splinter in the late Triassic about 230 million years ago. —Gabe Allen, Discover Magazine, 15 Sep. 2022

The police, unsurprisingly, started to fire tear gas canisters again, trying to rift and wedge the fleeing protesters. —Quartz Staff, Quartz, 28 Dec. 2019

Collectively, the two plates are also rifting away from the Arabian Plate, which already separates Africa from the Middle East. —Susmita Baral, Teen Vogue, 13 Apr. 2018

That is, for fall, alongside rifted-upon replicas of archival pieces, Balenciaga sent out tote bags in fuchsia taffeta and feathers to match the flouncy dresses. —Chelsea Peng, Marie Claire, 15 Mar. 2017

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

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