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
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
David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 25 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rending
Verb
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Star guard Kyrie Irving hasn't played all season after tearing an ACL last March.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
29 Jan. 2026
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Star guard Kyrie Irving hasn’t played all season after tearing an ACL last March.—
Schuyler Dixon,
Twin Cities,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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When the Bulls fired Thibodeau in 2015 with two years and around $9 million left on his contract, Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf felt the need to put out a statement ripping his communication skills.—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Jan. 2026
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Scammers make their living by ripping people off, so the government agency suggests doing a little sleuthing before going too far or moving too fast.—
Lew Sichelman,
Miami Herald,
23 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rending.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rending. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
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