1
as in to split
to set or force apart
Volunteers divided the donated groceries into several dozen piles.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to separate
to go or move in different directions from a central point
The group divided based on those who wanted to go swimming and those who didn't.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to polarize
to cause (people) to break up into opposing groups
Opinions about the war divided people who are otherwise likeminded.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in dispute
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
2
as in rise
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Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Recent Examples of divide
Shelby Talcott, semafor.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Humanlike robots are roughly 100,000 years behind AI in learning from data, all thanks to that large divide in data availability.
—Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 2 Sep. 2025
Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 3 Sep. 2025
The deal has divided the EU, pitting member states against the European Parliament, and the center-left — which opposes it — against the center-right.
—Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for divide
Verb
Yet there is a clear Republican divide over whether Kennedy’s changes at the CDC should be celebrated or considered a grave error that endangers Americans’ health.
—Shelby Talcott, semafor.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Humanlike robots are roughly 100,000 years behind AI in learning from data, all thanks to that large divide in data availability.
—Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 2 Sep. 2025
Noun
The Kansas Supreme Court upheld controversial new district boundaries in 2022, which divided Wyandotte County for the first time in 40 years.
—Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 3 Sep. 2025
The deal has divided the EU, pitting member states against the European Parliament, and the center-left — which opposes it — against the center-right.
—Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for divide
Recent Examples of Synonyms for divide
Verb
-
Kherson, Ukraine — Russia has launched a new bid to exert control over the southern Ukrainian city of Kherson by threatening key access roads with its drones and trying to split it in two by striking a vital bridge.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
7 Aug. 2025
-
One major critique of this season is that there was no need to split its episodes in half.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
6 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
With more devices brought into Michigan classrooms in recent years, educators have found ways to separate students from their phones during class time.—
Clara Hendrickson,
Freep.com,
3 Sep. 2025
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Formed from a $46 billion merger, the food company is expected to separate in the second half of 2026.—
Yeo Boon Ping,
CNBC,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Nearly a year after being removed from Lincoln Heights' village council over a tax dispute, a leading community activist has had his seat restored by a state appeals court.—
David Ferrara,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
5 Sep. 2025
-
How the courts and legislatures balance the rights of the majority and minority in these disputes over the place of the Ten Commandments in public life may go a long way toward shaping the future of religious freedom in American public education.—
Lydia Artz,
The Conversation,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The John Reid Road in South Tyneside is another slog, another rise.—
George Caulkin,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
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The company’s extraordinary rise from an upstart carmaker to a global force in sustainable energy and transport has been fueled by his relentless ambition and uncanny ability to attract capital.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
If time permits, lock your home upon departure and disconnect utilities and appliances.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
6 Sep. 2025
-
If time allows, disconnect utilities and appliances.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The model's dark hair was parted exactly in the center, then pulled up and back in a tight style reminiscent of the perfectly precise buns worn by prima ballerinas.—
Kara Nesvig,
Allure,
1 Sep. 2025
-
Earlier this month, KG and JYP USA announced that both parties had settled the lawsuit and parted amicably.—
Jeff Benjamin,
Forbes.com,
30 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
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
-
Vegetation also can conceal deep fissures and cracks.—
Don Sweeney,
Sacbee.com,
19 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
This is still above the nationwide median sale price—but far below the peak of $650,000 reached in the city in 2022.—
Giulia Carbonaro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Sep. 2025
-
During peak times, trades can take minutes and cost more than $30, which is untenable for both retail users and professional traders.—
Sean Lee,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Divide.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/divide. Accessed 8 Sep. 2025.
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