rend

as in to rip
to cause (something) to separate into jagged pieces by violently pulling at it the prophecy that the disaster would cause people to rend their garments in mourning

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How is the word rend different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of rend are cleave, rip, rive, split, and tear. While all these words mean "to separate forcibly," rend implies very violent or ruthless severing or sundering.

an angry mob rent the prisoner's clothes

When can cleave be used instead of rend?

While the synonyms cleave and rend are close in meaning, cleave implies very forceful splitting or cutting with a blow.

a bolt of lightning cleaved the giant oak

When might rip be a better fit than rend?

Although the words rip and rend have much in common, rip implies a pulling apart in one rapid uninterrupted motion often along a line or joint.

ripped the shirt on a nail

Where would rive be a reasonable alternative to rend?

The words rive and rend can be used in similar contexts, but rive occurs most often in figurative use.

a political party riven by conflict

In what contexts can split take the place of rend?

The synonyms split and rend are sometimes interchangeable, but split implies a cutting or breaking apart in a continuous, straight, and usually lengthwise direction or in the direction of grain or layers.

split logs for firewood

When is tear a more appropriate choice than rend?

In some situations, the words tear and rend are roughly equivalent. However, tear implies pulling apart by force and leaving jagged edges.

tear up the letter

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 rend The cuts will rend apart the truss section and send the pieces plunging into the river, unpinning the Dali. Christine Condon, Baltimore Sun, 8 May 2024 Meanwhile, a deafening blast of noise keeps rending the air and forcing everyone to fold up like tulips at sunset. Tom Gliatto, Peoplemag, 21 Nov. 2023 The leader of the Cenobites can only invade Earth if the box is opened, but his attacks are some of the goriest captured on film: Metal hooks linked to chains obey Pinhead's commands and rend the flesh from his victims! Steven Thrash, EW.com, 19 Oct. 2023 Their willful lack of understanding about what is possible in a divided Washington draws them praise from the absolutists while leaving the pragmatists rending their garments. Philip Elliott, TIME, 4 Oct. 2023 See All Example Sentences for rend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rend
Verb
  • Sometimes the stories were ripped from the headlines, capitalizing on media frenzy.
    Jourdain Searles, HollywoodReporter, 7 Sep. 2025
  • The Padres ripped him for six runs on six hits over 3 2/3 innings.
    Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 7 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Before 2014, the building was abandoned and MIA wanted to tear it down.
    Vinod Sreeharsha, Miami Herald, 6 Sep. 2025
  • While Bruce the shark tore through limbs, there were also conspiracy thrillers, period dramas, counterculture satires, and deeply anti-authority crime flicks to rule the roost.
    Christina Newland, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Rend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rend. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

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