bifurcation

noun

ˌbī-(ˌ)fər-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce bifurcation (audio)
Definition of bifurcationnext
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

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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

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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 bifurcation Beijing’s decision reinforces the bifurcation of global technology development as US-China tension heats up, and underscores the increasingly challenging environment for cross-border investments in critical sectors such as AI and semiconductors. — John Liu, CNN Money, 27 Apr. 2026 People will endure a lot of indignity to avoid being left behind without VC money when the great bifurcation takes place. — Sam Kriss, Harpers Magazine, 24 Feb. 2026 Chapek’s bifurcation of the studio’s production and distribution operations was rejected like a botched organ transplant by the core of the Mouse House’s creative executives, not to mention the creative community doing business with Disney, Marvel, Pixar, ABC, 20th Century Studios et al. — Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 4 Feb. 2026 This bifurcation between companies that value investors and those that do not will determine which public companies succeed and which fail over the long term. — Andrew Behar, Fortune, 29 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bifurcation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bifurcation
  1. divergence
  2. split
  3. dissolution
  4. division
  5. breakup
  6. partition
  7. separation
  8. schism
Noun
  • The bullish divergence from 2021-2023 predating the trend change.
    — Jay Woods, CNBC, 16 July 2026
  • There is a reason the divergence persists rather than resolving.
    — Güney Yıldız, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026
Definition of divergence
Noun
  • Since the 2011 overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi, Libya has remained de facto split between competing political and military centers of power.
    — Lauren Morganbesser, semafor.com, 14 July 2026
  • Qualley has also deleted wedding photos with the record producer from her Instagram amid their split.
    — Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 14 July 2026
Definition of split
Noun
  • As for crypto, 83 House Democrats embarrassingly joined the Republicans to pass the CLARITY Act that would preside over the dissolution of financial protections for the American bank and retirement fund user.
    — Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 10 July 2026
  • Decertification of the union would lead to the dissolution of the contract, which currently sets pay, benefits and workplace rules for employees.
    — Austin Horn, Miami Herald, 7 July 2026
Definition of dissolution
Noun
  • Most of the division was focused on combating malaria abroad through a decades-old program called the President’s Malaria Initiative, which was not only funded by USAID but partially run by the agency.
    — Blake Ellis, CNN Money, 20 July 2026
  • Numerous former lawyers in the division also said that the current leadership has put its thumb on the scale at the outset of investigations.
    — Ben Wieder, Los Angeles Times, 19 July 2026
Definition of division
Noun
  • Text messages suggested d4vd had manipulated Celeste, even after their breakup in November 2024, the prosecution wrote.
    — Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 20 July 2026
  • The shorter run time also means some themes get reduced into syrup; the platitudes come as fast and furious as Tao and Elle’s breakups and makeups, with too little space to breathe in between.
    — Gemma Wilson, Boston Herald, 19 July 2026
Definition of breakup
Noun
  • On the eight trading floors, the company installed custom partitions and operational furnishings built to meet the demands of high-performance financial operations.
    — Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 13 July 2026
  • Thus, understanding how species share or partition resources is central to identifying critical habitats and designing effective protection strategies.
    — Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026
Definition of partition
Noun
  • The traditional route through the middle of Hormuz, known as the traffic separation scheme, remains too dangerous for ships to use due to the threat of mines, Larsen said.
    — Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 17 July 2026
  • Beyond military missions Military operators could use the software to distinguish routine orbital activity from potentially suspicious behavior, including satellite maneuvers, separation events, and close-proximity operations.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 17 July 2026
Definition of separation
Noun
  • The Vatican declared the group of hundreds of thousands of people worldwide in schism after the SSPX consecrated four bishops in Switzerland without Pope Leo XIV’s approval this month.
    — Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 15 July 2026
  • The Vatican said dialogue was offered to the ​group ahead of the schism and that the step of ordaining ​bishops without ⁠church approval was considered so grave that excommunication was automatic.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 5 July 2026
Definition of schism

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Cite this Entry

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

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More from Merriam-Webster on bifurcation

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about bifurcation

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