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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rending
Verb
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Rodgers had a very forgettable two-year run as the Jets QB over the last two seasons, leading the team to a 5-12 record in 2024 after missing all of the 2023 season after tearing his Achilles in the season opener that year.—
Michael Gallagher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Sep. 2025 -
Missed the final 14 games last year after tearing his ACL at Tampa.—
Joe Nguyen,
Denver Post,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Stringer/Sputnik via AP What To Know Broadly desecration of a flag refers to any action that damages or disrespects it—such as burning it, urinating or defecating on it, defacing it, stepping on it, damaging it with stones or bullets, cutting or ripping it and many others.—
Jasmine Laws,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Aug. 2025
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Jordan immediately went to work ripping the tile out and scraping out the mortar, and I got started on an email to the tile company.—
Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott,
Southern Living,
24 Aug. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Rending.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rending. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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