Thesaurus results for RENDING

rending

verb

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

Relevance

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 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 The subjects say rending but also disquieting things about killing. —

Lisa Kennedy, Variety, 27 Jan. 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

LeVota announced Wednesday that Jackson County will establish a task force to begin the process of deciding what to do with the current sports complex, which could involve tearing one or both stadiums down to build something entirely new.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 26 Mar. 2026
Even momfluencers who adhere to pristine ideals of motherhood have people tearing them apart for the littlest things.

— CNN Money, CNN Money, 25 Mar. 2026