1
as in divergence
a movement in different directions away from a common point
a thoughtful book about the nation's bifurcation into two distinct and antagonistic cultures
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in split
the act or process of a whole separating into two or more parts or pieces
a divisive issue that caused the bifurcation of the political party
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 bifurcation
This bifurcation of retail has been seen strongly in department stores, where retailers in the middle are challenged.
—
Sarah Jones, Footwear News, 23 Jan. 2026
There’s also a bifurcation in who’s spending.
—Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 29 Nov. 2025
Economic bifurcation The divergence mirrors China’s bifurcated economy, as industries try to adapt to new technologies in the face of a real estate slump and trade disputes with the United States.
—Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 9 Nov. 2025
For example, signs of bifurcation blared louder during the first six months of the Covid-19 pandemic.
—Rob Wile, NBC news, 1 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bifurcation
Sarah Jones, Footwear News, 23 Jan. 2026
There’s also a bifurcation in who’s spending.
—Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 29 Nov. 2025
Economic bifurcation The divergence mirrors China’s bifurcated economy, as industries try to adapt to new technologies in the face of a real estate slump and trade disputes with the United States.
—Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 9 Nov. 2025
For example, signs of bifurcation blared louder during the first six months of the Covid-19 pandemic.
—Rob Wile, NBC news, 1 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bifurcation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bifurcation
Noun
-
The sudden boom in credit is creating a wider divergence in competitiveness between credit markets and regular investment sales bidding activity.—
Diana Olick,
CNBC,
10 June 2026
-
The divergence comes down to math.—
Jacqueline Munis,
Fortune,
10 June 2026
Noun
-
Analysts read the split as a flight to quality.—
Dara-Abasi Ita,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2026
-
Let’s go over some of the ways the Spurs can fix things and go to Madison Square Garden with a split.—
Zach Harper,
New York Times,
5 June 2026
Noun
-
But Hartman's water system is on the brink of collapse, prompting SB 157, which allows for rapid dissolution under certain circumstances.—
Seth Klamann,
Denver Post,
28 May 2026
-
Again, as Bungie’s only game now with nothing else greenlit, that could lead to the slashing or shutdown or dissolution of the studio entirely.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2026
Noun
-
Sales in the Americas division fell 4 percent in constant currencies as the overseas operation saw sales increasing 16 percent in constant dollars.—
Evan Clark,
Footwear News,
4 June 2026
-
Adriana Toro, assistant director of the Highway and Bridge Maintenance Division in Broward County — a division which includes Mosquito Control — said there are some simple things people can do to help cut mosquito annoyances.—
Amaia Gavica,
Miami Herald,
4 June 2026
Noun
-
Gillespie had 37 tackles, 18 pass breakups and four interceptions as a junior.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 June 2026
-
Their relationship had a rocky start, when reports of their relationship – amid breakups with their respective spouses – started emerging in July 2023, resulting in backlash for the costars.—
KiMi Robinson,
USA Today,
8 June 2026
Noun
-
In 1947, the United Nations adopted a partition plan that contemplated two states, one Jewish and one Arab.—
Michael W. Sonnenfeldt,
The Atlantic,
20 May 2026
-
Thoughtful details include four handles, making the bags a breeze to move, as well as partitions sewn to the bottom to avoid root entanglement.—
Quincy Bulin,
Better Homes & Gardens,
19 May 2026
Noun
-
Trudeau, who announced his resignation as prime minister amid political pressure in January 2025, and his wife Sophie Grégoire announced their separation in August 2023.—
KiMi Robinson,
USA Today,
9 June 2026
-
African diasporic people’s contentious history with these formations of motherhood create specters of separation as reproductive injustice.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 June 2026
Noun
-
As the country heads toward a national election, the leader once celebrated as a healer is now viewed by critics as the main driver of these schisms.—
Nimi Princewill,
CNN Money,
31 May 2026
-
Whether or not there was ever actually a schism, the rumor mill was confident and uninformed.—
Craig Jenkins,
Vulture,
29 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bifurcation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bifurcation. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
