divide 1 of 2

1
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

divide

2 of 2

noun

Synonym Chooser

How is the word divide distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of divide are divorce, part, separate, sever, and sunder. While all these words mean "to become or cause to become disunited or disjointed," divide implies separating into pieces or sections by cutting or breaking.

civil war divided the nation

In what contexts can divorce take the place of divide?

The words divorce and divide are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, divorce implies separating two things that commonly interact and belong together.

cannot divorce scientific research from moral responsibility

When can part be used instead of divide?

While in some cases nearly identical to divide, part implies the separating of things or persons in close union or association.

vowed never to part

When would separate be a good substitute for divide?

In some situations, the words separate and divide are roughly equivalent. However, separate may imply any of several causes such as dispersion, removal of one from others, or presence of an intervening thing.

separated her personal life from her career

When might sever be a better fit than divide?

The words sever and divide can be used in similar contexts, but sever implies violence especially in the removal of a part or member.

a severed limb

When is sunder a more appropriate choice than divide?

While the synonyms sunder and divide are close in meaning, sunder suggests violent rending or wrenching apart.

a city sundered by racial conflict

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 divide
Verb
That the two sides of the political divide would see him so differently only seems logical. Rebecca Keegan, NBC news, 24 Sep. 2025 Part of the reason why this social media phenomenon has resonated with so many may have to do with the growing divide between young men and women. Ashleigh N. Deluca, Parents, 24 Sep. 2025
Noun
The African continent is traditionally divided by colonial language barriers, with films in Anglophone countries like Ghana only travelling to other Anglophone countries like Nigeria. Zac Ntim, Deadline, 30 Sep. 2025 Atoms cannot be divided, created, or destroyed. Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 30 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for divide
Recent Examples of Synonyms for divide
Verb
  • Meanwhile, Cleveland was mostly splitting its DH at-bats between Manzardo and David Fry … whose September pop came on an accidental Tarik Skubal fastball to his nose.
    Ryan Ford, Freep.com, 29 Sep. 2025
  • The acquisition announcement comes as MSNBC prepares to split from NBC as part of parent company Comcast’s move to spin off its cable properties into a separate company, to be called Versant.
    Matthew Carey, Deadline, 29 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • These are the cases that break models in deployment—and the cases that separate an adequate system from a production-ready one.
    Brian Moore, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2025
  • With parishioners running to hide or get out of the building, Carter and Max were pushed up against a glass window separating the chapel from the foyer, which led to an exit.
    Georgea Kovanis, Freep.com, 1 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The dispute affected educators and policymakers statewide — but Pendleton managed to take the best of both literacy methods and apply them to the 130,000-plus students then enrolled in San Diego schools, Lopez said.
    Jemma Stephenson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Sep. 2025
  • And with the network television settlements, the payouts arose after personal legal disputes.
    Bobby Allyn, NPR, 26 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • In recent years, the companies have bickered about the rise of streaming services, in which the media companies are investing billions of dollars and which lure away cable and satellite customers.
    Brian Steinberg, Variety, 26 Sep. 2025
  • As a blaring techno beat rises in the background, the two passionately go at it.
    James Factora, Them., 26 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • If time permits, disconnect utilities and appliances.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 27 Sep. 2025
  • City records point toward demolition City records, however, show that the company filed for and, on Tuesday, received a permit to disconnect the city water line, often a precursor to demolition.
    Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 25 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Her hair, cut slightly above her shoulders in a bob cut, was parted to one side.
    Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 30 Sep. 2025
  • Morgan Pope won part one of the Final HOH competition, sending her straight to part three.
    Dina Kaur, AZCentral.com, 28 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Rocks have tiny fissures into which water can seep; when the temperature drops, the water expands into ice, exerting pressure and widening the cracks.
    Dhruv Khullar, New Yorker, 24 Sep. 2025
  • The fissure became apparent in 2020, when Rowling penned an infamous essay detailing her concerns about trans activism and what the author says is its conflict with women’s rights.
    Jake Kanter, Deadline, 24 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Having finished the 14,000-foot peaks in Colorado and California’s Sierra Range — including Mount Whitney, the highest peak in the Lower 48 states at 14,500 feet — the next stop for the renowned Spanish endurance athlete is Mount Shasta in northern California, near the Oregon border.
    John Meyer, Denver Post, 30 Sep. 2025
  • Plus, enjoy a special sneak peak of the Below Deck Down Under premiere, featuring the The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City cross-over charter.
    Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 30 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Divide.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/divide. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.

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