1
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.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of rift
Jeanne Phillips, Mercury News, 25 May 2026
Today, there is an undeniable rift between young American Jews towards Israel that stems from the very issue and the lack of serious discussion regarding the issue.
—Samuel S. Flax, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 May 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
This whole mess is causing a rift between the boys.
—Jeanne Phillips, Mercury News, 25 May 2026
Today, there is an undeniable rift between young American Jews towards Israel that stems from the very issue and the lack of serious discussion regarding the issue.
—Samuel S. Flax, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 May 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
-
Seismic images of mid-ocean ridges typically show rough and jagged terrain, formed when lava oozes up into the cold ocean along faults or fissures and hardens suddenly into stone.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
26 May 2026
-
These seemingly harmless fissures on the surface of a watermelon can indicate deeper problems that affect both taste and freshness.—
Aksha Mittapalli,
Better Homes & Gardens,
24 May 2026
Noun
-
The gap has shown up in earnings as well.—
Evelyn Cheng,
CNBC,
3 June 2026
-
Seal gaps and cracks to prevent hot air from entering and cool air from escaping.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
Giovanni Leoni and Conor Bradley both suffered season-ending knee injuries, while 17-goal top scorer Hugo Ekitike ruptured his right Achilles tendon.—
James Pearce,
New York Times,
1 June 2026
-
Nearly 240 million gallons of sewage spilled into the river and its tributaries during eight days after a 72-inch section of the Potomac Interceptor sewer line ruptured in mid-January.—
JT Moodee Lockman,
CBS News,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
From search-and-rescue drones navigating tight rock crevices to flexible medical devices implanted in moving joints, the potential applications are vast.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
27 May 2026
-
They can also be found around sprinkler systems, inside pavement crevices, and in mulch.—
Jane Kim,
The Spruce,
24 May 2026
Noun
-
Your pilot can also fly you over to Dent Island for your tee time at the 18-hole championship course.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
The sides or water bottle pockets end up with holes in them from rubbing against my tires, which makes pushing incredibly frustrating.—
Keely Cat-Wells,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
Nix fractured his ankle in January late in a postseason win against Buffalo and had surgery shortly after.—
Parker Gabriel,
Denver Post,
3 June 2026
-
Stafford’s lower spine was fractured seven years ago, followed three years later by a bruise to his spinal cord.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
The Canes have absolutely torn through the Eastern Conference en route to their third Cup Final appearance in franchise history.—
Matt Reigle,
FOXNews.com,
3 June 2026
-
Shooting in Los Angeles under a California tax credit this month, Little One watches as a sudden change in a child’s behavior threatens to tear a picture-perfect family apart.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
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
-
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 5 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
