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

The threat turned out to be a hoax, but the suspicions among staff illustrated how deep the rift had become. —Geoffrey Cain, Vanity Fair, 11 May 2026

Here’s our story that detailed the rift between the two agencies. —Joe Rubin, Sacbee.com, 11 May 2026

Verb

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

Advertisement Along with its shallow invocation of the power of female friendship, Imperfect Women nods toward uncontroversial takeaways about gender, race, class, heterosexual love, rifts between parents and children without offering novel insight. —Judy Berman, Time, 18 Mar. 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