/DIVIDE Synonyms: 200 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'divide' distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of divide are divorce , part , separate , sever , and sunder . While all these words mean "to become or cause to become disunited or disjointed," divide implies separating into pieces or sections by cutting or breaking. // civil war divided the nation

Q: In what contexts can 'divorce' take the place of 'divide'?

The words divorce and divide are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, divorce implies separating two things that commonly interact and belong together. // cannot divorce scientific research from moral responsibility

Q: When can 'part' be used instead of 'divide'?

While in some cases nearly identical to divide , part implies the separating of things or persons in close union or association. // vowed never to part

Q: When would 'separate' be a good substitute for 'divide'?

In some situations, the words separate and divide are roughly equivalent. However, separate may imply any of several causes such as dispersion, removal of one from others, or presence of an intervening thing. // separated her personal life from her career

Q: When might 'sever' be a better fit than 'divide'?

The words sever and divide can be used in similar contexts, but sever implies violence especially in the removal of a part or member. // a severed limb

Q: When is 'sunder' a more appropriate choice than 'divide'?

While the synonyms sunder and divide are close in meaning, sunder suggests violent rending or wrenching apart. // a city sundered by racial conflict

divide 1 of 2

verb

də-ˈvīd

Definition of divide

as in to split

to set or force apart Volunteers divided the donated groceries into several dozen piles.

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to separate

to go or move in different directions from a central point The group divided based on those who wanted to go swimming and those who didn't.

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to polarize

to cause (people) to break up into opposing groups Opinions about the war divided people who are otherwise likeminded.

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

divide

2 of 2

noun

as in dispute

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

as in rise

Related Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word divide distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of divide are divorce, part, separate, sever, and sunder. While all these words mean "to become or cause to become disunited or disjointed," divide implies separating into pieces or sections by cutting or breaking.

civil war divided the nation

In what contexts can divorce take the place of divide?

The words divorce and divide are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, divorce implies separating two things that commonly interact and belong together.

cannot divorce scientific research from moral responsibility

When can part be used instead of divide?

While in some cases nearly identical to divide, part implies the separating of things or persons in close union or association.

vowed never to part

When would separate be a good substitute for divide?

In some situations, the words separate and divide are roughly equivalent. However, separate may imply any of several causes such as dispersion, removal of one from others, or presence of an intervening thing.

separated her personal life from her career

When might sever be a better fit than divide?

The words sever and divide can be used in similar contexts, but sever implies violence especially in the removal of a part or member.

a severed limb

When is sunder a more appropriate choice than divide?

While the synonyms sunder and divide are close in meaning, sunder suggests violent rending or wrenching apart.

a city sundered by racial conflict

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 divide

Verb

However, the logo’s unconventional imagery has divided public opinion, with some questioning its suitability as the symbol of such an iconic institution. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 17 July 2026 This is the other narrow sea passage on the Western side of the Arabian Peninsula that divides Saudi Arabia from Africa. — Jim Edwards, Fortune, 17 July 2026

Noun

Every House Republican voted against Massie’s amendment, while Democrats split nearly evenly on the measure, underscoring the widening partisan divide over Israel. — Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 16 July 2026 This ongoing divide is a recipe for frustration at best and unthinkable defeat at worst. — Bill McKibben, New Yorker, 16 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for divide

Recent Examples of Synonyms for divide

Verb

Having split his rehab between his native Australia and the States, Toohey remained in touch with his Warriors teammates and the team’s medical staff, even if their ability to help him was limited after the Warriors waived him in December.

— Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 15 July 2026
Using that Ducato model as its starting point, Westfalia splits it into three separate levels.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 15 July 2026

Definition of split

Verb

Japan’s government separated the two traditions of Shinto and Buddhism in 1868 during the Meiji era, effectively bringing Shinto shrines under state control and placing the emperor at the center of the new order.

— ABC News, ABC News, 19 July 2026
Knowing their days of bloodline privilege are numbered, the German and the French aristocrat bond, their class affinities binding them more tightly than the uniforms that separate them.

— Thomas Doherty, HollywoodReporter, 18 July 2026

Definition of separate

Noun

Former Defense Secretary John Healey, who resigned last month over a military spending dispute, was appointed as the UK’s new finance minister, known as Chancellor of the Exchequer.

— Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 20 July 2026
Authorities had not said how many weapons were fired or publicly detailed what started the dispute.

— Eric Mack, FOXNews.com, 20 July 2026

Definition of dispute

Noun

With the rise in second-screen watching and secondary content — such as reactions, predictions, commentary, and styling formats — before and after the matches, the opportunity for brands has been enormous.

— Joe Bobowicz, Vogue, 16 July 2026
The eight-part Spanish-language drama, inspired by real events, is set in 1980s Lima, Peru, and follows the rise of an elite law school cabal that infiltrates academia, politics, and organized crime.

— Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 15 July 2026

Definition of rise

Verb

Trust becomes difficult when AI systems are disconnected from the operational realities they're expected to influence.

— Dave Link, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
Rather than accelerating execution, this growing network of stakeholders and disconnected AI tools is increasing operational complexity and extending delivery timelines.

— Jamie Garverick, Fortune, 15 July 2026

Definition of disconnect

Verb

Eighth Grade’s depiction of smartphones is particularly noteworthy, as Kayla can hardly be parted from hers.

— Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 15 July 2026
The sympathy Reese garnered translated online to further resentment for Clark among Reese's supporters, as Reese's parting image as a college basketball player was that of a teary-eyed victim.

— Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 12 July 2026

Definition of part

Noun

While effective in winning the war, the new government faced social and political fissures in the postwar period.

— Donovan Fifield, The Conversation, 16 July 2026
Diggins’ absence from the court and the Sky’s ongoing lack of success seemed to set the table for an early fissure midway through the first season of her two-way deal.

— Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 13 July 2026

Definition of fissure

Browse Nearby Words

divests

divide

divided

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Divide.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/divide. Accessed 21 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of divide

verb

noun

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on divide

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

dog days

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

Popular in Wordplay

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

Why do we say 'fly off the handle'?

Popular

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Games & Quizzes

Synonyms of divide

verb

noun

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Phrases Containing divide

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on divide

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

dog days

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

Popular in Wordplay

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

Why do we say 'fly off the handle'?

Popular

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Games & Quizzes