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

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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 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

Three weeks after tearing her ACL, Italian downhiller Sofia Goggia won a World Cup race in 2022.

— Outside, Outside, 4 Feb. 2026
What if the Celtics won a ring without Jayson Tatum, who could still come back this season after tearing his Achilles tendon in last year’s playoffs?

— Chris Branch, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026