variants
also rived
1
as in disrupted
to cause to separate into pieces usually suddenly or forcibly
road pavement that had been riven by the annual freeze-and-thaw cycle
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in torn
to cause (something) to separate into jagged pieces by violently pulling at it
the bitter disappointment threatened to rive my heart in two
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of riven
Advertisement Venezuela is a country of 28 million people, riven by armed militias, criminal organizations, and Chavista loyalists who haven’t simply vanished because Maduro was helicoptered to New York.
—
Bobby Ghosh, Time, 6 Jan. 2026
The Venezuelan opposition has always been riven with divisions.
—Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 5 Jan. 2026
Trump ends the year weak and unpopular, his coalition dispirited and riven by infighting.
—Michelle Goldberg, Mercury News, 30 Dec. 2025
The country of about 230 million people, by far the most populous in Africa, is split roughly evenly between Muslim and Christian populations and has been riven by violence for decades.
—Arkansas Online, 27 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for riven
Bobby Ghosh, Time, 6 Jan. 2026
The Venezuelan opposition has always been riven with divisions.
—Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 5 Jan. 2026
Trump ends the year weak and unpopular, his coalition dispirited and riven by infighting.
—Michelle Goldberg, Mercury News, 30 Dec. 2025
The country of about 230 million people, by far the most populous in Africa, is split roughly evenly between Muslim and Christian populations and has been riven by violence for decades.
—Arkansas Online, 27 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for riven
Recent Examples of Synonyms for riven
Verb
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Water pressure is building back up in the Oakland County, Michigan, communities affected by a 42-inch water main that broke early Sunday and disrupted service.—
Paula Wethington,
CBS News,
12 May 2026
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But last month, as Iran’s chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz disrupted exports from other nations, that proportion surged to 18%, Xu said.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
12 May 2026
Verb
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The Indiana Pacers may have beaten Oklahoma City last season had their star player, Tyrese Haliburton, not torn his Achilles in Game 7.—
Tony Jones,
New York Times,
18 May 2026
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In each one, an Oakland naïf—Cassius, Cootie, Corvette—was torn between a seductive capitalist and an inspiring left-wing organizer, one the path to fame and riches, the other to community and revolution.—
Emily Nussbaum,
New Yorker,
17 May 2026
Verb
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Sinner came back from a 3-0 deficit only to be broken again in the 12th game and concede the set to Medvedev.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 May 2026
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Christine said the nation’s health institutions and policies were broken, and average Americans distrusted healthcare systems.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
16 May 2026
Verb
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Meanwhile, male athletes get ripped to shreds 24/7 on television, radio, podcasts and social media without anyone questioning whether the existence of criticism itself is harmful to the sport.—
Amber Harding OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
14 May 2026
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Ensure the item is in working condition and not damaged, broken, or ripped.—
Alexandra Kelly,
Martha Stewart,
13 May 2026
Verb
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Despite being lifelong besties, something has fractured between Penelope and Casey.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
15 May 2026
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The fall broke his neck, fractured his skull, tore ligaments in his wrist, and collapsed his lungs, among other injuries.—
Lauren Victory,
CBS News,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Riven.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/riven. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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