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2
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
as in to rupture
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of rift
R. Christian Smith, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026
The exit of the UAE, the world’s third-largest oil producer, reflects a deep rift with Saudi Arabia over production limits.
—Yinka Adegoke, semafor.com, 29 Apr. 2026
Gabe Allen, Discover Magazine, 15 Sep. 2022
The police, unsurprisingly, started to fire tear gas canisters again, trying to rift and wedge the fleeing protesters.
—Quartz Staff, Quartz, 28 Dec. 2019
See All Example Sentences for rift
Noun
McCabe told The Beacon-News that the situation created a rift between the mayor and the city’s firefighters.
—R. Christian Smith, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026
The exit of the UAE, the world’s third-largest oil producer, reflects a deep rift with Saudi Arabia over production limits.
—Yinka Adegoke, semafor.com, 29 Apr. 2026
Verb
However, the supercontinent began to rift and splinter in the late Triassic about 230 million years ago.
—Gabe Allen, Discover Magazine, 15 Sep. 2022
The police, unsurprisingly, started to fire tear gas canisters again, trying to rift and wedge the fleeing protesters.
—Quartz Staff, Quartz, 28 Dec. 2019
See All Example Sentences for rift
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rift
Noun
-
Eyes on the primary runoff The Democratic race doesn't feature notable policy splits along the lines of the progressive-moderate fissures that have opened around the country.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
17 Apr. 2026
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The ledges are broken by crevices and fissures, and loose rocks of all sizes lie on them and below them.—
Dr. C. E. Kuschel,
Outdoor Life,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The new batch of money is separate from a $245 million pool of new funds officials already allocated to help close looming budget gaps.—
Talia Soglin,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2026
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The Canadian reverse logistics company’s pathway-level data report details the limitations, trade-offs and infrastructure gaps that defining the sector—something Debrand likened to opening the black box of textile circularity.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Footwear News,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Sharpshooting guard Donte DiVicenzo will not return to the playoffs after rupturing an Achilles tendon in Game 4 against the Nuggets.—
Jeff McDonald,
San Antonio Express-News,
3 May 2026
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In his first start since rupturing his left Achilles while pitching for the Mets in June, Canning allowed a run in five innings and departed with the Padres up 3-1.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
3 May 2026
Noun
-
The crevice attachment’s usefulness isn’t limited to just appliances.—
Quincy Bulin,
Southern Living,
27 Apr. 2026
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There’s talent in every crevice of that room.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The project calls for the company to drill as many as 18 holes down some 1,000 feet into the Earth to collect samples.—
Sarah Raza,
Los Angeles Times,
5 May 2026
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Another early hole The Lightning outplayed the Canadiens for much of the first period but couldn’t score the opening goal.—
Eduardo A. Encina,
The Orlando Sentinel,
4 May 2026
Verb
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By that point, the relationship had already begun to fracture.—
Seth Abramovitch,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Apr. 2026
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And even as the mainstream media continues to fracture, the global consumption of content is spiking.—
Caitlin White,
Variety,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Kancey, 25, tore his pectoral muscle in a Week 2 win at Houston and missed most of last season.—
Rick Stroud,
The Orlando Sentinel,
28 Apr. 2026
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So when Khalil is killed and his family targeted exactly because of this work, Jimmy is torn by guilt and grief.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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More notable still, perhaps, is the fact that calling for the release of the Epstein files has seemed to cut across the myriad divisions rending the Democratic Party.—
Jon Allsop,
New Yorker,
24 Apr. 2026
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Guthrie’s willingness to take part in an interview with a visibly emotional Kotb was heart-rending.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rift.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rift. Accessed 6 May. 2026.
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