cleavage

noun

ˈklē-vij How to pronounce cleavage (audio)
Definition of cleavagenext
as in split
the act or process of a whole separating into two or more parts or pieces the cleavages of an egg as an embryo develops

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 cleavage This is a book of profound intellectual altruism and moral urgency that insists on summoning courage despite (or because of) societal and political cleavage. — Anna Holmes, The Atlantic, 27 May 2026 Glowy body makeup Free the sideboob, the underboob, the cleavage, and the collarbone! — Loren Savini, Allure, 20 May 2026 The cleavage is overwhelming for her, the waist is completely suffocating, and the corset and the dress is heavy. — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 14 May 2026 Months prior, Fox bared a different kind of cleavage during London Fashion Week. — Hannah Malach, InStyle, 8 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cleavage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cleavage
  1. split
  2. dissolution
  3. breakup
  4. partition
  5. division
  6. separation
Noun
  • The divide between critics score and audience score is a strangely wide split.
    — Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026
  • What's the difference between policy disagreements and a true political split?
    — Dana Taylor, USA Today, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of split
Noun
  • In 1991, amidst the Balkan region’s dissolution and prompted by the unfolding events, 6-year-old Maja and her parents make the decision to journey from Yugoslavia to Denmark.
    — Leo Barraclough, Variety, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Fragmentation in the form of armed conflicts, tariff disputes and the dissolution of trade blocs is at an all-time high.
    — Yasushi Sasaki, Fortune, 30 July 2026
Definition of dissolution
Noun
  • The breakup followed reports of turmoil between the two, many of them detailing how the couple was trying to work through things and do right by their 7-month-old daughter.
    — Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 1 Aug. 2026
  • That stopped Saturday, starting with the two interceptions, a pair of fumbles, one pass breakup and a few would-be sacks.
    — Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of breakup
Noun
  • Cracking India, or Ice-Candy-Man (1988) First published in the United Kingdom as Ice-Candy-Man in 1988 and reissued as Cracking India in the United States in 1991, this novel by Bapsi Sidhwa is regarded as a foundational partition narrative.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 July 2026
  • Alice questions Mira while Frank mutters completely unhelpful asides from behind the glass partition.
    — Erin Qualey, Vulture, 28 July 2026
Definition of partition
Noun
  • Skubal took the loss in the decisive Game 5 of the division series against Cleveland in 2024 and then got a no-decision in a 15-inning loss to Seattle in Game 5 of the division series last year.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Others are in Wales, Cambodia, the Czech second tier, Norwegian third tier, even the regional division of New Zealand.
    — Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of division
Noun
  • The distinct work and life separation shown in ‘Severance’ stunts the development of both sides of the characters.
    — Kate Wieczorek, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Hugh Jackman and Deborra-Lee Furness were married for 27 years before announcing their separation in September 2023 and finalizing their divorce in June 2025.
    — Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 31 July 2026
Definition of separation

Browse Nearby Words

clear (up)
cleavage
cleavages
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Cite this Entry

“Cleavage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cleavage. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on cleavage

Nglish: Translation of cleavage for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cleavage

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