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

During Wallace and Shakur’s own rift, Knight and Combs’ own cold war simmered and ran even hotter than many initially believed. — Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 2 Sep. 2026 But whether the bitter rift with William and Catherine can be mended is another matter. — The Week Uk, TheWeek, 28 Aug. 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

But craters and debris from billions of years of impacts covered many of these fissures, said lead study author Gaku Nishiyama, a planetary scientist at the German Aerospace Center’s Institute of Space Research in Berlin.

— Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2026
Concrete slabs between the homes had started to crack or buckle, with some of the fissures running all the way up to or under the homes’ walls, the news outlet reported.

— Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of fissure

Noun

The commencement of large payments before the works are completed has created the timing gap referred to above, squeezing liquidity in the immediate term.

— Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
African banks are constrained by government borrowing and shallow domestic savings, while the continent faces an infrastructure financing gap estimated at up to $100 billion a year.

— Yinka Adegoke, semafor.com, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of gap

Noun

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
In the clip, McGraw’s cowboy boot appears to get caught in a crevice onstage, sending him to the ground.

— Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of crevice

Noun

Graham birdied the last two holes to earn a precious halve against 17-year-old Miles Russell.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Sep. 2026
Cash transfers, fund swaps, delayed pension contributions and one-time revenues can make the budget look balanced while the ACFR still shows a hole.

— Sheila Weinberg, Baltimore Sun, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of hole

Verb

Right now, nearly one million fragments of metal, paint, and shattered rocket parts larger than a single centimeter are tearing through Earth’s orbit at extreme speeds.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 9 Sep. 2026
With Thomas, Broberg, Joel Hofer and so many good, young pieces, there’s no reason to tear anything down.

— Jeremy Rutherford, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of tear

Browse Nearby Words

rifling

rift

rifted

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Rift.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rift. Accessed 12 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of rift

noun

verb

Example Sentences

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