Synonyms of divorce

divorce 1 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

divorce

2 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

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

Noun

That story, which includes rebuttals from Lawrence, did not indicate Holscher was referencing Kelly’s divorce. — Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 30 July 2026

The 1981 film revolves around a woman who begins exhibiting increasingly disturbing behavior after asking her husband for a divorce. — Justin Kroll, Deadline, 29 July 2026

Verb

The tension reportedly began after Phillippe and Witherspoon divorced in 2007. — Allison Degrushe, StyleCaster, 26 July 2026

Curtis is divorced, and still carries a torch for his ex-wife (Kelsey Scott) — now the governor of Illinois and architect of an innovative monster rehabilitation program with the Candyman (as in the movies) its star participant. — Alison Herman, Variety, 26 July 2026