rending

Definition of rendingnext
present participle of rend
as in tearing
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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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 rending More notable still, perhaps, is the fact that calling for the release of the Epstein files has seemed to cut across the myriad divisions rending the Democratic Party. Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 24 Apr. 2026 Guthrie’s willingness to take part in an interview with a visibly emotional Kotb was heart-rending. Brian Steinberg, Variety, 3 Apr. 2026 The emotional tribute paid homage to some of the most heart-rending high-profile deaths of the past year, including Diane Keaton, Robert Redford, and Rob Reiner, each of whom received their own dedicated homage. Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Mar. 2026 The sagas of Icelanders—plotty, laconic, often heart-rending—constitute one of the oldest literatures in any language still commonly spoken. Literary Hub, 11 Feb. 2026 There’s also a poem that Anders gave Winslet for Mother’s Day years ago, and which plays a pivotal role in Goodbye June’s heart-rending climax. David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 25 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rending
Verb
  • Running back Isaac Guerendo, a potential top backup to Christian McCaffrey, is out until at least late August after tearing a pectoral muscle while lifting weights last month, Shanahan said.
    Cam Inman, Mercury News, 28 May 2026
  • Make a clean cut to avoid tearing the stem.
    Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 28 May 2026
Verb
  • An arrest warrant said Moore assaulted Hyder by grabbing and ripping his uniform.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 1 June 2026
  • His big ugly bill is ripping health care away from rural communities and taking food off the table of Americans.
    NBC news, NBC news, 31 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Rending.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rending. Accessed 3 Jun. 2026.

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