1
as in fissures
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 gaps
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rifts
Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 3 Mar. 2026
General Daily Insight for February 28, 2026 Soft words can mend small rifts around us.
—Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Feb. 2026
Soft words can mend small rifts around us.
—Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 28 Feb. 2026
The rifts among these friends—particularly between Lucas and Coppola—could be severe.
—Michael O’Donnell, The Atlantic, 10 Feb. 2026
Nicole Fallert here, bringing you the news to know on Wednesday, from lawmakers' rifts over ICE reforms to an ongoing search for Savannah Guthrie's mother.
—Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 4 Feb. 2026
Despite the recent overheated rhetoric and both real and apparent rifts and shifts between the States and Europe, the routine fashion-weeks encampments of the makers and their clients from all walks of life exhibit a rock-solid stability.
—Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026
But Mullally’s appointment may deepen rifts within the Anglican Communion, whose 100 million members in 165 countries are deeply divided over issues such as the role of women and the treatment of LGBTQ people.
—Danica Kirka, Los Angeles Times, 28 Jan. 2026
Rather than just showing these thinkers reciting their greatest hits, the longform discussions showcase all of the contradictions (and occasional rifts) between members of the same movement.
—Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 26 Jan. 2026
Noun
At the same time, some Iranian Americans have openly welcomed the killing of Iran’s supreme leader and called for regime change, reflecting deep rifts within the diaspora over the conflict.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 3 Mar. 2026
General Daily Insight for February 28, 2026 Soft words can mend small rifts around us.
—Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Feb. 2026
Soft words can mend small rifts around us.
—Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 28 Feb. 2026
The rifts among these friends—particularly between Lucas and Coppola—could be severe.
—Michael O’Donnell, The Atlantic, 10 Feb. 2026
Nicole Fallert here, bringing you the news to know on Wednesday, from lawmakers' rifts over ICE reforms to an ongoing search for Savannah Guthrie's mother.
—Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 4 Feb. 2026
Despite the recent overheated rhetoric and both real and apparent rifts and shifts between the States and Europe, the routine fashion-weeks encampments of the makers and their clients from all walks of life exhibit a rock-solid stability.
—Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026
But Mullally’s appointment may deepen rifts within the Anglican Communion, whose 100 million members in 165 countries are deeply divided over issues such as the role of women and the treatment of LGBTQ people.
—Danica Kirka, Los Angeles Times, 28 Jan. 2026
Rather than just showing these thinkers reciting their greatest hits, the longform discussions showcase all of the contradictions (and occasional rifts) between members of the same movement.
—Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 26 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rifts
Noun
-
Sandstone and limestone provided fissures and fractures where these hydrocarbons could sit, and caprock kept everything in place.—
Stephanie Pappas,
Scientific American,
6 Mar. 2026
-
The controversy has highlighted both religious and political fissures.—
Peter Smith,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Seal any cracks and gaps around windows, doors, vents, and utilities ports into the house.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Suggestions for this zone are to remove combustible items and vegetation; screen vents and fill gaps in or totally enclose eaves; and clear debris from a home’s roof, gutters and deck.—
Julie Gallant,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
And yet, beneath the applause and the accolades, something quietly fractures.—
Kaitlyn Gomez,
USA Today,
27 Feb. 2026
-
After someone experiences a significant trauma to their body—such as a high-speed ski crash that fractures their leg—the surrounding muscles can rapidly bleed and swell.—
Claire Maldarelli,
Scientific American,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Then use a microfiber cloth barely dampened with water to wipe the fixture clean, making sure to get into any grooves and crevices.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Scrub Daddy’s Dump Duster is perfect for those crevices that may not get enough attention in your regular cleaning schedule.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The peak of this dome occurred when the Hall coefficient changed sign, indicating that the dominant charge carriers switched from holes to electrons.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Mar. 2026
-
One of those holes is the WNBA’s low pay, which forced players to supplement their income by playing overseas when the league was not in season.—
J.J. Bailey,
New York Times,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
If the plaque within one of the coronary arteries suddenly ruptures, a blood clot forms on its surface.—
Colleen Doherty,
Verywell Health,
28 Nov. 2025
-
And this collision is very intense, but full of life and disobedience, and ruptures morality.—
Scott Feinberg,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Sep. 2019
Verb
-
Under her watch, Americans have been murdered in cold blood, DHS has obstructed lawful congressional oversight, dismissed credible reports of abuse, carried out an extreme agenda that tears families apart and destabilizes communities.—
The Editorial Board,
Oc Register,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Catherine uplifted us in a world that often tears us down.—
Andrew Gelwicks,
Vogue,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The front lid appears to be barely hanging on by a thread, with cuts and gashes throughout.—
Staff Author,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Heupel spreads out his receivers in an attempt to spread out the defense, then gashes them with the run.—
Seth Emerson,
New York Times,
10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rifts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rifts. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
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