bifurcates

verb

present tense third-person singular of bifurcate
as in subdivides
formal to undergo division into two parts The stream bifurcated into two narrow winding channels.

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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 bifurcates While designing the Guggenheim in Bilbao, Spain, in the 1990s, the architect would sit by the river that bifurcates the city, looking at different metal treatments. — Belinda Luscombe, Time, 6 Dec. 2025 For example, Highway 17 currently bifurcates a piece planners hope to lock in through Los Gatos. — San Francisco Chronicle, 30 July 2021
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bifurcates
  1. divides
  2. separates
  3. splits
Verb
  • The Hamas official also said the group’s leader demanded that Israel halt its attacks on Gaza and withdraw to the Yellow Line, which divides the territory into Israeli military and Palestinian sections, before beginning implementation.
    — Samy Magdy, Los Angeles Times, 16 Aug. 2026
  • The 50/30/20 rule is a budgeting framework that divides your take-home pay into three categories.
    — Javier Simon, USA Today, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of divides
Verb
  • The condition increases the risk of serious complications including placental abruption, in which the placenta separates from the uterus before delivery.
    — Faye Chiu, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Navigating these forks is a mental burden that separates experienced physicians from those just starting out.
    — Arya Rao, STAT, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of separates
Verb
  • The first would decide whether a campaign called People Not Politicians can place a measure on the ballot to strike down the map, which splits Kansas City.
    — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The remaining workforce splits between disengaged and actively working against the organization.
    — Miriam Groom, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of splits

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Cite this Entry

“Bifurcates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bifurcates. Accessed 25 Aug. 2026.

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