split 1 of 3

split

2 of 3

noun

split

3 of 3

adjective

as in divided
disagreeing with each other opinions are split on the subject

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word split different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of split are cleave, rend, rip, rive, and tear. While all these words mean "to separate forcibly," split implies a cutting or breaking apart in a continuous, straight, and usually lengthwise direction or in the direction of grain or layers.

split logs for firewood

When is cleave a more appropriate choice than split?

While the synonyms cleave and split are close in meaning, cleave implies very forceful splitting or cutting with a blow.

a bolt of lightning cleaved the giant oak

When might rend be a better fit than split?

In some situations, the words rend and split are roughly equivalent. However, rend implies very violent or ruthless severing or sundering.

an angry mob rent the prisoner's clothes

When can rip be used instead of split?

The words rip and split are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, rip implies a pulling apart in one rapid uninterrupted motion often along a line or joint.

ripped the shirt on a nail

When would rive be a good substitute for split?

The synonyms rive and split are sometimes interchangeable, but rive occurs most often in figurative use.

a political party riven by conflict

When could tear be used to replace split?

The words tear and split can be used in similar contexts, but tear implies pulling apart by force and leaving jagged edges.

tear up the letter

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of split
Verb
The party is split over how to counter Trump best, as some senior-level Democrats who clung to power died in office, and younger Democrats have pressured leaders to promote the next generation. Mabinty Quarshie, The Washington Examiner, 28 June 2025 He’s played with Des Moines of USHL the last two seasons, and last year, split time between them and the U.S. National U18 Team, recently competing at the U18 World Championships. Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 28 June 2025
Noun
This partisan split largely mirrors the current divide in Congress, as only House and Senate Republicans have voted in favor of the bill. Brendan Rascius july 3, Miami Herald, 3 July 2025 Woods and Nike confirmed their split in January 2024, marking the end to their iconic and fruitful 27-year relationship. Stephen Garner, Footwear News, 2 July 2025
Adjective
Scott walked away with more than $38 billion in Amazon shares, making the split one of the costliest separations in history. Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 23 June 2025 Look again at Andrada’s split wall in the Inter game. Jack Lang, New York Times, 22 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for split
Recent Examples of Synonyms for split
Verb
  • The brand’s production is divided between Paris and Istanbul, the latter being a city with family ties for India.
    Andrea Onate, Footwear News, 30 June 2025
  • The Oval Office’s ‘One, Big, Beautiful Bill’ has divided opinion, after estimates from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) found the policies would cost the poorest Americans roughly $1,600 a year while increasing the income of the wealthiest households by an average of $12,000 annually.
    Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 29 June 2025
Noun
  • Walter talks about developing the character of his protagonist’s son-in-law, whose right-wing politics are one of the causes of the family’s fissure.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 12 June 2025
  • How that fissure affects DOGE is yet to be seen, but the White House has already requested $45 million in funding for the group’s operations next year, an Office of Management and Budget document shows.
    William Turton, ProPublica, 10 June 2025
Noun
  • What strikes me about the breakup songs on the album is that unlike some modern pop hits on that topic, which aren’t afraid to be overly dramatic and use expletives, yours seem pretty civil.
    David Browne, Rolling Stone, 26 June 2025
  • After the breakup, however, don’t expect your monthly expenses to go down by half.
    Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 22 June 2025
Adjective
  • Good News Despite all the dire messaging from social media and other outlets about how divided Democrats and Republicans are on civic education, there is less division than meets the eye.
    Bruno V. Manno, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
  • While President Trump hailed the attacks as a decisive blow to Iran's nuclear ambitions, reactions from regional and international experts reveal a far more divided picture.
    Majd Al-Waheidi, NPR, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • In a game where the Angels and Nationals combined for 24 runs and 30 hits — with the 19 hits and 15 runs given up by the Angels’ pitching staff representing season-worst marks — what ultimately separated the teams was the Angels’ inability to come through with runners on base.
    Benjamin Royer, Los Angeles Times, 28 June 2025
  • According to the London Times’ Philip Willan, a trade union that represents museum workers had previously warned the Uffizi about the risks posed by the platforms separating visitors from the art.
    Aurora Martínez, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 June 2025
Noun
  • Make sure to vacuum all carpets and rugs, including hard-to-reach nooks by using your vacuum crevice tool.
    Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 22 June 2025
  • Starting among the orange rocks, vaults, and spires of Arches National Park and passing through with the Colorado River–carved crevices of Canyonlands, this journey feels like a visit to Mars.
    Chloe Arrojado, AFAR Media, 11 June 2025
Noun
  • His pointed remarks underscored the uncertainty facing the Palais de la Découverte, the scientific museum previously sealed off by a non-original partition wall.
    Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 19 June 2025
  • Under the statute, additional partition methods may be considered.
    Rusty Smith, The Conversation, 11 June 2025
Verb
  • Give yourself permission to disconnect from the noise.
    Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 July 2025
  • The women in these communities are isolated, often staying within the bounds of their villages and disconnected from global conversations.
    TrickleUp, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Split.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/split. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.

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