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rift 1 of 2

noun

ˈrift How to pronounce rift (audio)
Definition of riftnext
1
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

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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

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
The rift between the Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos, personified by threats of NFL investigations and counter-threats of a lawsuit by coaches Sean Payton and Mike Macdonald, has been put to bed by an apology. — Armando Salguero Outkick, FOXNews.com, 23 Sep. 2026 The moves come as Jackson seeks to mend a rift with Jones and unite Republicans amid a close race for governor against Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms. — Greg Bluestein, AJC.com, 22 Sep. 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
  1. fissure
  2. gap
  3. rupture
  4. crevice
  5. hole
  6. fracture
  7. tear
  8. rend
Noun
  • This fissure triggered one of the 21st century’s bloodiest wars in 2020 when federal forces attempted to wrestle control of the large province of Tigray, leaving up to 600,000 dead by the time a ceasefire deal was signed two years later.
    — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 23 Sep. 2026
  • Groundwater steadily rises through fissures in the limestone bedrock, providing the spring with a constant flow of pristine water.
    — Savannah Born, Travel + Leisure, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of fissure
Noun
  • In 2021, Clemons helped launch the Wealth Accelerator, which is currently running an accelerated pilot of Connecticut’s baby bonds program in the hopes of learning more about how to close the racial wealth gap.
    — P.R. Lockhart, Hartford Courant, 26 Sep. 2026
  • Communities of color and low-income neighborhoods already face higher rates of obesity, diabetes and heart disease because of long-standing gaps in access to health care, preventive care and affordable healthy food.
    — Disha Narang, Chicago Tribune, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of gap
Verb
  • Cloé Lacasse, forward, Utah Royals Lacasse is playing her first full season for Utah after rupturing an ACL and spraining an MCL in 2024 and missing much of 2025.
    — Karan Lodha, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026
  • Things took a sharp turn the night before the finals, when Grey was hospitalized after rupturing a disc in her back.
    — Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of rupture
Noun
  • Focus on crevices and edges where grease and debris tend to accumulate, but avoid scrubbing too harshly.
    — Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 17 Sep. 2026
  • There’s a dust brush to gather hair, pet fur, and dust from upholstery, a crevice tool to reach between couch cushions, and a wide, flat brush to give your sofa an even better once-over.
    — Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of crevice
Noun
  • However, going down to 0-2 puts a team at a really big hole to start the year and make the playoffs.
    — David Troy OutKick, FOXNews.com, 20 Sep. 2026
  • Martin Schwarzschild is the son of Karl Schwarzschild, the person who discovered the black-hole solution.
    — David Brooks, The Atlantic, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of hole
Verb
  • Rampant inflation, the collapse of insurance payments, and the government’s inability to sell oil and obtain the foreign currency needed to repay pharmacies have fractured the supply chain.
    — Leila Gharagozlou, CNN Money, 20 Sep. 2026
  • The document, which was highly classified and written in Arabic, suggested that Hamas was planning to exploit the hostage families’ protests to fracture Israeli society.
    — Ruth Margalit, New Yorker, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of fracture
Verb
  • Daniel Jones returned back to the Colts after tearing his Achilles last season.
    — OutKick, FOXNews.com, 20 Sep. 2026
  • The winter before, in January 1997, the Feather and Yuba tore through Yuba County.
    — Sean Macaday, Sacbee.com, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of tear
Verb
  • Two rising stars could land their first Oscar nominations this award season for heart-rending performances.
    — Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Through four series, Spartacus encounters brutal battles, heart-rending betrayals, and more.
    — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of rend

Browse Nearby Words

rifling
rift
rifted
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Cite this Entry

“Rift.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rift. Accessed 28 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on rift

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about rift

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