as in fissure
an irregular usually narrow break in a surface created by pressure
my fishing line managed to get wedged in a cleft in the rocks
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Recent Examples of cleft
But today, the most important political cleft is not the fading distinction between right and left, but the rising conflict between liberal and illiberal, democratic and autocratic.
—
David Frum, The Atlantic, 28 Mar. 2025
Valproic acid causes birth defects that can be detected in utero such as oral clefts or spina bifida.
—Almut Winterstein, The Conversation, 30 Jan. 2025
Now that she’s become well known not only for her art and fashion, but for being a cleft advocate, speaking around the country about her experience with a cleft lip and palate, Glasses has been traveling a lot for personal appearances, which leaves precious little time for weaving.
—Booth Moore, WWD, 29 Oct. 2024
This bacteria is commonly carried in the nostrils, between the legs, in the armpits, and in the cleft between the buttocks.
—Heather Jones, Verywell Health, 27 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for cleft
David Frum, The Atlantic, 28 Mar. 2025
Valproic acid causes birth defects that can be detected in utero such as oral clefts or spina bifida.
—Almut Winterstein, The Conversation, 30 Jan. 2025
Now that she’s become well known not only for her art and fashion, but for being a cleft advocate, speaking around the country about her experience with a cleft lip and palate, Glasses has been traveling a lot for personal appearances, which leaves precious little time for weaving.
—Booth Moore, WWD, 29 Oct. 2024
This bacteria is commonly carried in the nostrils, between the legs, in the armpits, and in the cleft between the buttocks.
—Heather Jones, Verywell Health, 27 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for cleft
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cleft
Noun
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Israel's devastating attack on Gaza, which has killed more than 62,000 Palestinians, including over 18,000 children, is exposing deep ideological fissures on the American Right.—
Faisal Kutty,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Aug. 2025
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Vegetation also can conceal deep fissures and cracks.—
Don Sweeney,
Sacbee.com,
19 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Use the floor brush for stairs, the crevice tool for windowsills and couch cushions, and the dusting brush for dusty surfaces.—
Isabel Garcia,
PEOPLE,
5 Sep. 2025
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Pests can make their way into these small crevices easily, so keeping your appliances clean and free of food will prevent bugs from feasting in your kitchen.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
4 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cleft.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cleft. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.
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