rends

verb

present tense third-person singular of rend
as in rips
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 rends
  1. rips
  2. tears
Verb
  • The ambitious staging literally rips the fourth wall off a two-story house, giving a voyeuristic view into the kitchen, living room, bathroom and bedroom.
    — William Earl, Variety, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Pouring them straight into a trash bag could lead to a smelly mess if the bag rips and leaks.
    — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of rips
Verb
  • In a sense, the proof shows that a world in which love never returns is a world whose geometry tears itself apart—assuming, of course, the proof holds up.
    — Sam Macdonald, Scientific American, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Instead of wiping firmware, an adversary nudges a setpoint, edits a protection parameter, distorts a sensor feed—or shows the operator a calm screen while the equipment tears itself apart.
    — Julian Durand, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of tears
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.

Browse Nearby Words

renditions
rends
renegade
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Cite this Entry

“Rends.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rends. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on rends

Nglish: Translation of rends for Spanish Speakers

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