bifurcations

noun

plural of bifurcation
1
as in divergences
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 splits
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 bifurcations Are these all mathematically proper bifurcations? — Gregory Barber, Quanta Magazine, 15 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bifurcations
  1. divergences
  2. splits
  3. differences
  4. dissolutions
  5. partitions
  6. divisions
  7. breakups
  8. separations
Noun
  • Today, other divergences are equally stark, such as China’s openness to international education and travel, alongside its rapid embrace of technology.
    — Frank Lavin, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
  • All too often, voices raised in the name of superpatriotism denounce honest divergences as akin to treason.
    — Ann Manov, Harpers Magazine, 23 June 2026
Definition of divergences
Noun
  • Grande’s most recent relationship with Slater followed their respective splits from Dalton Gomez and Lilly Jay, their respective former spouses.
    — Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Cantillo doesn't really have any drastic splits for the season.
    — David Troy OutKick, FOXNews.com, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of splits
Noun
  • Some differences between the 2004 plan for downtown and the 2026 plan for Crown Center jump out, including the number of projects and improvements listed.
    — Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 7 Sep. 2026
  • For more on the differences, see our guide to whether bank text codes are enough to protect you.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of differences
Noun
  • Moms for Liberty’s influence has been on a long decline in its home state as the organization faced a wave of resignations, chapter dissolutions and scandals among Moms for Liberty leadership.
    — Trinity Webster-Bass, Miami Herald, 21 July 2026
  • The trailer teased screaming matches, tears, accusations of betrayal and clear dissolutions of multiple relationships — both romantic and platonic.
    — Pilar Melendez, NBC news, 27 May 2026
Definition of dissolutions
Noun
  • Movable partitions and lighting grids allow the rooms and their extensive technical infrastructure to be continually rearranged.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026
  • These booths with partitions that closed you off from the nearby tables.
    — Emma Cline, New Yorker, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of partitions
Noun
  • Teams of all experience levels took part in the tournament, which featured social, intermediate and advanced divisions.
    — Gabby Sartori, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2026
  • Some farsighted experts have warned that AI could devastate the job market and widen the divisions that mark today’s politics and society.
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of divisions
Noun
  • Anhor The Great had so many pass breakups that counting would’ve been a fool’s errand.
    — Caleb Otte, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Sophomore cornerback Gil Jackson made multiple pass breakups, including one in the end zone in the second half to a force a field goal.
    — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of breakups
Noun
  • Through first-person testimonies and family photos from California communities, the show confronts family separations, civil-liberties violations and the long shadow of deportation campaigns on Mexican American life.
    — Isa Farfan, Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2026
  • This means that small separations between objects can become huge down the line — the telltale sign of chaos.
    — Shalma Wegsman, Quanta Magazine, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of separations

Browse Nearby Words

bifurcation
bifurcations
big
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bifurcations.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bifurcations. Accessed 10 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of loath

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

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

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Popular

See More

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

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Vol. 2 Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All