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
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Recent Examples of rending
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
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
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Captain, top-line center and three-time Selke Trophy winner Aleksander Barkov never played a game this season after tearing the ACL and MCL in his right knee less than an hour into his first training camp practice.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
16 Apr. 2026
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After striking out in the second inning, first baseman Rafael Devers broke his bat by slamming it to the ground, then finishing it off by tearing it in two.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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While at Hewlett High, he and a friend were kicked out for ripping a bong hit in the dean’s bathroom.—
Steve Bloom,
Rolling Stone,
20 Apr. 2026
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Hunter consistently blows up running plays, ripping right through the interior of college offensive lines.—
Omar Kelly,
Miami Herald,
19 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rending.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rending. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.
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