1
as in separating
to set or force apart
volunteers divided the donated groceries into several dozen piles
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in diverging
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
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 dividing
The singer's annual holiday clip is dividing fans this year.
—
Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Nov. 2025
Similar efforts have emerged in Missouri, where the state legislature passed a new map dividing Kansas City among three congressional districts.
—Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
Jojo’s fortunes took an unexpected turn when a devastating 2021 storm swept across the Maritime Alps, the mountain range dividing France and Italy.
—Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 5 Nov. 2025
Consider those factors when dividing assets and use your will or trust to spell it out clearly, especially with sentimental items.
—Steve Hruby, Cincinnati Enquirer, 3 Nov. 2025
It’s calculated by dividing your net operating income by your total annual principal and interest payments.
—Danielle Higley, CNBC, 31 Oct. 2025
Brekke recommends dividing stuffing into portions no larger than two servings each.
—Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Oct. 2025
The film jumps forward in time to show how The Change becomes a movement that takes hold of the country while dividing citizens — and the Taylor family itself.
—Eric Andersson, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
Where to Stay While Umbria isn’t massive, dividing your trip into at least two home bases is highly recommended to appreciate the region’s slower tempo.
—John Skelton, Travel + Leisure, 24 Oct. 2025
Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Nov. 2025
Similar efforts have emerged in Missouri, where the state legislature passed a new map dividing Kansas City among three congressional districts.
—Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
Jojo’s fortunes took an unexpected turn when a devastating 2021 storm swept across the Maritime Alps, the mountain range dividing France and Italy.
—Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 5 Nov. 2025
Consider those factors when dividing assets and use your will or trust to spell it out clearly, especially with sentimental items.
—Steve Hruby, Cincinnati Enquirer, 3 Nov. 2025
It’s calculated by dividing your net operating income by your total annual principal and interest payments.
—Danielle Higley, CNBC, 31 Oct. 2025
Brekke recommends dividing stuffing into portions no larger than two servings each.
—Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Oct. 2025
The film jumps forward in time to show how The Change becomes a movement that takes hold of the country while dividing citizens — and the Taylor family itself.
—Eric Andersson, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
Where to Stay While Umbria isn’t massive, dividing your trip into at least two home bases is highly recommended to appreciate the region’s slower tempo.
—John Skelton, Travel + Leisure, 24 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dividing
Verb
-
The backpack itself is crafted from a durable, water-resistant, anti-abrasion material, and includes a wet pocket for separating damp items or dirty laundry.—
Sophie Dodd,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Jan. 2026
-
This was such a tedious process that Saint Ignatius College Prep had its own recycling club that mainly involved spending Fridays after school sitting on a classroom floor and separating the recyclables the school had generated throughout the week.—
Adam Harrington,
CBS News,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
As time passed, Webster found his views diverging from some of his neighbors’ in the Hudson Valley.—
Jamie Thompson,
The Atlantic,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Emo was diverging into the pop world in every way imaginable.—
Maya Georgi,
Rolling Stone,
30 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Decades ago, some wealthier Venezuelans began splitting their time between South Florida and their home country, gradually spending more and more time.—
Anthony Man,
Sun Sentinel,
10 Jan. 2026
-
After dribbling once with his right hand, Brown unleashed a Eurostep to his left, splitting the two Raptors players.—
Jay King,
New York Times,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Love, give me lips and noses, skin parting tangy skin.—
Carson Colenbaugh,
The Atlantic,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Daedone persuaded the swelling ranks of OM enthusiasts, givers and receivers alike, to join an experiment in communal living, gradually parting them from their wealth and autonomy.—
Dan Piepenbring,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The dangers of disconnecting Leaving the money to be handled by one spouse leaves your family vulnerable.—
Douglas A. Boneparth, CFP,
CNBC,
29 Dec. 2025
-
There’s nothing better than disconnecting from the world—and hopefully, your phone—on a long walk outside.—
The Editors,
Outside,
25 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
At the opening, Natalie, bored and filled with loathing for her parents, flees her family home by retreating into imaginary worlds of vivid, eroticized violence.—
Erin Somers,
The Atlantic,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Even with state and federal backing, developers are retreating and selling properties, signaling that grassroots activism is fundamentally reshaping Big Tech’s expansion strategy.—
Marc Levy,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dividing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dividing. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share