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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
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Recent Examples of rift
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
Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 1 July 2025
Victoria and David’s playful flirting comes amid ongoing rumors of a rift between them and their eldest son, Brooklyn, 26, and his wife, actress Nicola Peltz, 30.
—Clare Fisher, People.com, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for rift
Noun
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
Verb
Despite speculation of a rift with star guard Fox, Fox himself shut down rumors in an interview with ESPN.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 1 July 2025
Victoria and David’s playful flirting comes amid ongoing rumors of a rift between them and their eldest son, Brooklyn, 26, and his wife, actress Nicola Peltz, 30.
—Clare Fisher, People.com, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for rift
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rift
Noun
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Walter talks about developing the character of his protagonist’s son-in-law, whose right-wing politics are one of the causes of the family’s fissure.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 June 2025
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How that fissure affects DOGE is yet to be seen, but the White House has already requested $45 million in funding for the group’s operations next year, an Office of Management and Budget document shows.—
William Turton,
ProPublica,
10 June 2025
Noun
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The larger the gaps, the faster the sucker will lose its grip.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
28 June 2025
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Also, keep an eye out for a long gap in reviews or ratings.—
Kristine Gill,
Better Homes & Gardens,
28 June 2025
Verb
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And earlier in the playoffs, Lillard ruptured his Achilles tendon while playing for the Bucks in Round 1 against the Pacers.—
Tim Reynolds,
Chicago Tribune,
2 July 2025
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At the beginning of or during labor, the membranes typically rupture, something commonly referred to as the expectant mother's water breaking.—
Beth Warren,
The Tennessean,
2 July 2025
Noun
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Make sure to vacuum all carpets and rugs, including hard-to-reach nooks by using your vacuum crevice tool.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
22 June 2025
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Starting among the orange rocks, vaults, and spires of Arches National Park and passing through with the Colorado River–carved crevices of Canyonlands, this journey feels like a visit to Mars.—
Chloe Arrojado,
AFAR Media,
11 June 2025
Noun
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Now that hole is being filled with full service, amenitized buildings and a public park along the two mile canal.—
Shimon Shkury,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
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Fuller was then released in February, and the Dolphins still have a major hole for starting-caliber cornerbacks ahead of nickel Kader Kohou after the draft.—
David Furones,
Chicago Tribune,
30 June 2025
Verb
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Fast forward to July and Cabrera is likely out for the year after fracturing his ankle and posting numbers below league average.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
2 July 2025
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However, leaders with corporate psychopathic tendencies may drive distrust and fracture the organization.—
Shawn Cole,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2025
Verb
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Governor Phil Murphy responded Thursday night to a deadly line of severe thunderstorms that tore through Central New Jersey, killing three people and leaving tens of thousands without power.—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 July 2025
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The bodies of the doctor, his wife, daughter and son-in-law, arrived at Shifa Hospital torn into pieces, according to Issam Nabhan, head of the nursing department at the Indonesian Hospital.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
3 July 2025
Verb
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Dallas keeps bringing up last year’s six-game win over Colorado in an apparent effort to buck up themselves and their despondent fans, who are rending their garments over a meaningless seven-game losing streak to end the season.—
Mark Lazerus,
New York Times,
20 Apr. 2025
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The Seagull The season’s starriest show is Chekhov’s rending play about art, love and loss in a new version from Duncan Macmillan and Thomas Ostermeier, with Ostermeier directing.—
Matt Wolf,
New York Times,
3 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rift.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rift. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.
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