Synonyms of divorce

divorce 1 of 2

verb

as in to split

to set or force apart

in your head you need to divorce your wishes and fantasies from the realities of the world as it is

Synonyms & Similar Words

• split
• separate
• divide
• disconnect
• resolve
• sever
• disunite
• part
• disassociate
• break up
• dissociate
• dissever
• sunder
• detach
• pull
• decouple
• uncouple
• isolate
• ramify
• disjoin
• unlink
• decompose
• dissolve
• partition
• disjoint
• disintegrate
• subdivide
• rift
• fragment
• dissect
• break down
• cleave
• quarter
• unyoke
• bifurcate
• fragmentize
• cut off
• rupture
• segment
• tear
• rip
• fracture
• disassemble
• break
• fragmentate
• halve
• rend
• fractionate
• segregate
• fractionalize
• dichotomize
• unravel
• bisect
• sequester
• insulate
• disentangle
• disengage
• trisect
• seclude
• rive
• untie

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• join
• link
• unite
• couple
• unify
• mix
• combine
• blend
• associate
• assemble
• connect
• mingle
• close
• bind
• attach
• accumulate
• knit
• stick
• fasten
• fuse
• weld
• cement
• agglutinate

divorce

2 of 2

noun

as in breakup

Related Words

• breakup
• dissolution
• split
• alienation
• severance
• rift
• schism
• rupture
• estrangement
• cleavage
• fractionation
• fractionalization
• sundering
• bifurcation
• disunion
• partition
• separation
• disaffection
• breach
• souring
• antagonism
• division
• animosity
• hostility
• embitterment
• feud
• quarrel
• rancor
• disgruntlement
• dispute
• antipathy
• altercation
• jaundice
• tiff
• bitterness
• falling-out
• controversy
• imbroglio
• spat
• battle royal
• squabble
• misunderstanding
• vendetta
• contretemps
• cross fire
• disagreement
• fight
• argument
• set-to
• envenoming
• indignation
• brawl
• disillusionment
• bicker
• row
• wrangle
• rhubarb
• disenchantment
• wrath
• donnybrook
• outrage
• argle-bargle
• aggravation
• spleen
• scrap
• fury
• rage
• ire
• hassle
• furor
• kickup
• argy-bargy
• infuriation
• incensing

Dissimilar Words

• reconciliation
• conciliation
• agreement
• pacification
• appeasement
• union
• consensus
• harmony
• endearment
• unification
• ingratiation
• merger
• unanimity
• integration
• mollification
• reconcilement
• accord
• propitiation
• fusion
• merging
• coalescing

Synonym Chooser

How is the word divorce distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of divorce are divide, part, separate, sever, and sunder. While all these words mean "to become or cause to become disunited or disjointed," divorce implies separating two things that commonly interact and belong together.

cannot divorce scientific research from moral responsibility

When is divide a more appropriate choice than divorce?

The words divide and divorce can be used in similar contexts, but divide implies separating into pieces or sections by cutting or breaking.

civil war divided the nation

When is it sensible to use part instead of divorce?

While the synonyms part and divorce are close in meaning, part implies the separating of things or persons in close union or association.

vowed never to part

When could separate be used to replace divorce?

In some situations, the words separate and divorce 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 can sever be used instead of divorce?

The synonyms sever and divorce are sometimes interchangeable, but sever implies violence especially in the removal of a part or member.

a severed limb

In what contexts can sunder take the place of divorce?

While in some cases nearly identical to divorce, sunder suggests violent rending or wrenching apart.

a city sundered by racial conflict

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of divorce

Verb

The original trust, established decades ago after Murdoch’s divorce from his second wife, split up voting shares between Rupert’s four oldest children. —Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2025

The state also ranks among the top 10 for physical health and has one of the lowest divorce and separation rates, WalletHub found. —Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025

Noun

Shawn and Kendra are now divorced, and he was granted full custody of Lauryn, who is now 18. —Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 5 Sep. 2025

Some have divorced their spouses. —Hadas Gold, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2025