RIFT Synonyms: 130 Similar and Opposite Words

rift 1 of 2

noun

ˈrift

Definition of rift

as in fissure

an irregular usually narrow break in a surface created by pressure a small rift opened in the earth's crust

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in gap

an open space in a barrier (as a wall or hedge) it was possible to peek through the rift in the fence and see the ball game

Synonyms & Similar Words

rift

2 of 2

verb

as in to rupture

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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 rift

Noun

European leaders rushed to back Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy over the weekend amid a widening rift with the US, though the continent’s support for Kyiv may have an expiration date. — Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 11 Oct. 2026 There’s a Christian minister, Michael Hare, who’s also a consultant to churches experiencing those rifts. — Margaret Wappler, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026

Verb

Rami and Shirley can’t agree on what to do with the baby, which begins to rift their relationships. — Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Sep. 2024 However, the supercontinent began to rift and splinter in the late Triassic about 230 million years ago. — Gabe Allen, Discover Magazine, 15 Sep. 2022 See All Example Sentences for rift

Recent Examples of Synonyms for rift

Noun

In the show, the crew encounters a white hole spewing time and space into the universe, and the only way to close it is for Lister to play space pool, sinking a planet into the interdimensional fissure via an over-elaborate trick shot.

— Richard Edwards, Space.com, 10 Oct. 2026
Once moored, a boardwalk leads through old-growth forest to the fault itself, where ocean water is drawn in, heated up high and released through fissures in the rock.

— Adrienne Matei, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of fissure

Noun

The wealth gap has political stakes, too That sense of waiting for an opportunity has electoral relevance.

— Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026
After recent decreases in 2026/27 prices, the gap has closed, but prices for 2027/28 NY/ICE contracts have been trading at a discount to 2026/27 prices.

— SJ Guest Editorial, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of gap

Noun

The Tanana River in the background is flowing high, and most of the area between the river and the Bluff sparkles as sun rays glisten on the thousands of small pools and ponds that fill every dip and crevice in the land surface.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026
Some of these hunters spend hours in hopes of spotting a miniature ceramic smiley face peeking out of a crevice.

— Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of crevice

Noun

In the 1980s, when Parisian fashion was all power shoulders and cinched waists, a group of Japanese designers arrived with black clothes, asymmetry, holes and new silhouettes.

— Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 12 Oct. 2026
Residents enjoy a Jack Nicklaus Signature 18-hole golf course, miles of hiking and biking trails, tennis and pickleball courts, and endless opportunities on Lake Keowee, including boating, swimming, or simply quiet moments on the water.

— Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of hole

Verb

This simultaneous rise of the Greens and Reform could fracture Britain’s political landscape, in which the first-past-the-post electoral system typically favors two or three major parties.

— Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 7 Oct. 2026
These attacks are designed to fracture the alliance’s unity, test the strength of members’ commitment to Article 5—the principle that an attack on one member is an attack on all—and raise the cost of supporting Ukraine.

— Julianne Smith, Foreign Affairs, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of fracture

Verb

Producers Arya Ibrahim and Gita Fara describe the project as a story of the political upheaval of 1965, which tore families apart and left people who lost their citizenship living as exiles.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026
The storm began tearing through the region on Friday evening.

— Erika Angulo, NBC news, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of tear

Browse Nearby Words

rifling

rift

rifted

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Rift.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rift. Accessed 18 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of rift

noun

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on rift

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

bon vivant

Popular in Grammar & Usage

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 16

Popular

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

Games & Quizzes