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 German priest’s criticisms of the Catholic Church sparked the Protestant Reformation, rending Christianity in two. — Michael Bruening, The Conversation, 30 June 2026 The excellent Julian Quinones’ early goal settled any nerves and then came the emotive, heart-rending second from talisman Raul Jimenez in the second half. — Tim Spiers, New York Times, 17 June 2026 Our mopey heroine is Percy Fraser (Sadie Soverall), a 28-year-old obituary writer who grew up spending summers lakeside in a small Canadian town but hasn’t been back since her world-rending split with Sam Florek (Matt Cornett), the boy next door. — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 9 June 2026 By that point however, Reeves says Smith’s vice had become truly life-rending. — Jonathan Rowe, SPIN, 1 June 2026 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for rending

Verb

After tearing through the third rung of professional women’s tennis in 2024, the FFT awarded Boisson a wild card for that year’s French Open.

— Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
According to the arrest report, Baker's husband told investigators that Baker struck him on the left side of his face with an open hand, then grabbed his head with both hands and bit into the right side of his ear, tearing off a portion of it.

— Ana Maria Soler, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of tearing

Verb

The enterprises getting this right are not ripping out their suites.

— Neerav Vyas, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
Henry County officials are also investigating a possible tornado that moved through New Castle, Indiana, on Wednesday, toppling trees and ripping the roof off a commercial building.

— Michelle Simmons, ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026