rends

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
Verb
  • Immediately after that, a powerful blast rips through the street.
    Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Abbott is now racing to put standards on data centers in his state, as Democratic challenger Gina Hinojosa rips him for his initial support of the facilities.
    Ashley Capoot,Garrett Downs, CNBC, 20 Aug. 2026
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
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.

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Cite this Entry

“Rends.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rends. Accessed 30 Aug. 2026.

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