divorce 1 of 2

divorce

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verb

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

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 divorce
Noun
Gerry Turner is sharing why he felt betrayed by his ex-wife following their divorce. Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 8 Nov. 2025 All’s Fair is technically a drama on Hulu about divorce lawyers, but only in the sense that someone needed something to tie all of these visuals together. Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 8 Nov. 2025
Verb
With Kate Sprague, the two-timing wife of Rhode Island governor William Sprague, on his arm (the Spragues would divorce a year later as news of their affair spread), Roscoe Conkling turns up to remind James Blaine that his support for Garfield’s campaign comes with a fee. Scott Tobias, Vulture, 6 Nov. 2025 When Jeff Bezos and Mackenzie Scott divorced and went their separate ways, Bezos’ life didn’t change all that much. Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 5 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for divorce
Recent Examples of Synonyms for divorce
Noun
  • Subordinates are 13 percentage points more likely to leave the labor force in the year after the breakup (compared to people who break up with a manager from a different workplace).
    Emily Nix, Fortune, 9 Nov. 2025
  • The same week as the breakup, Mod Sun also shared a public statement via Instagram, thanking his fans for standing by his side.
    Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 8 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • The comments in the post were split between those who wanted to show care to the boyfriend and those who were skeptical of the woman's behavior.
    Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 10 Nov. 2025
  • Amazon occasionally publishes promotions that offer a serious discount on your order when splitting your payment between cash and points.
    Sarah Hostetler, CNBC, 10 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, a member of the leading council, went on to aid President Abdel Fattah al-Burhan's dissolution of the council, but later came to oppose the move as the rift between two men deepened.
    Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025
  • Recovery already underway While the impacts of Melissa are still occurring, recovery is expected to be a greater challenge than usual this year with the dissolution of US AID.
    Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Yet, asked specifically about the fine hairs separating the top three undefeated teams in this first ranking, Mack Rhoades, the committee chair and athletic director at Baylor, sounded like a man torn between numbers and gut feelings.
    Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 5 Nov. 2025
  • For her part, BunnaB, beloved for her infectious, near-constant laughs, has separated herself from this ascendant pack by infusing her bubbly disposition, girl’s girl attitude, unfettered authenticity — and the unmistakable gravity of earning a second shot.
    Kyle Denis, Billboard, 5 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • What drew you to the topic of Ted Kaczynski’s followers and alienation?
    Lorena O'Neil, Rolling Stone, 10 Nov. 2025
  • Conceived as a kaleidoscopic mosaic spanning from Kafka’s birth in 19th-century Prague to his death in post–World War I Vienna, Holland’s film captures both the man and the myth, revealing the writer’s creative vision, alienation, and lasting cultural imprint.
    Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 31 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Qianlong took a page from the design of private gardens in southern China to make the layout more compact, and divided the site into four connected courtyards, two of which are currently open to the public, from south to north.
    Fred He, CNN Money, 6 Nov. 2025
  • Engineers divide conventional aircraft into three main lightning zones.
    Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 5 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • At the time, the company said severance and other benefits would be provided to eligible associates.
    Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 3 Nov. 2025
  • Meanwhile Penn State last year was on the hook for more than $900,000 in football coaching severance per the KnightNewhouse database, presumably due to Mike Yurcich, Kotelnicki’s predecessor who was fired in 2023.
    Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 31 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • If time allows, disconnect utilities and appliances.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 9 Nov. 2025
  • If time permits, disconnect utilities and appliances.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 8 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Divorce.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/divorce. Accessed 16 Nov. 2025.

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