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
Sudarsan Raghavan, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2026
Now that is her son’s task in his first visit to the former colonies since he was crowned, arriving amid rifts over the war in Iran and the future of NATO.
—Susan Page, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2026
Trump appears to have re-focused on the Danish autonomous territory while venting frustration at NATO, as the diplomatic fallout from the Iran war exposes rifts in Washington's ties with the security alliance.
—Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 9 Apr. 2026
Their contrasting positions mirror growing rifts within the Republican Party over whether military action against Iran is justified and appropriate.
—Michelle L. Price, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2026
The carbon released by tectonic rifts may have had a larger role in driving major climate transitions than that released by tectonic convergences.
—Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
Within the locker room, the disagreements over initial vote left rifts.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 19 Mar. 2026
Some creators and observers say the disproportionate influence of voices outside of Iran has exacerbated deep rifts in the diaspora, which includes about 750,000 people in the United States, according to the Pew Research Center.
—ABC News, 17 Mar. 2026
This is a story of family, friends, neighbors — their bonds and their rifts.
—Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 12 Mar. 2026
Noun
The deeper the rifts between the United States and Europe over Iran, the greater the chances of weakening the NATO alliance.
—Sudarsan Raghavan, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2026
Now that is her son’s task in his first visit to the former colonies since he was crowned, arriving amid rifts over the war in Iran and the future of NATO.
—Susan Page, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2026
Trump appears to have re-focused on the Danish autonomous territory while venting frustration at NATO, as the diplomatic fallout from the Iran war exposes rifts in Washington's ties with the security alliance.
—Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 9 Apr. 2026
Their contrasting positions mirror growing rifts within the Republican Party over whether military action against Iran is justified and appropriate.
—Michelle L. Price, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2026
The carbon released by tectonic rifts may have had a larger role in driving major climate transitions than that released by tectonic convergences.
—Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
Within the locker room, the disagreements over initial vote left rifts.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 19 Mar. 2026
Some creators and observers say the disproportionate influence of voices outside of Iran has exacerbated deep rifts in the diaspora, which includes about 750,000 people in the United States, according to the Pew Research Center.
—ABC News, 17 Mar. 2026
This is a story of family, friends, neighbors — their bonds and their rifts.
—Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 12 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rifts
Noun
-
Eyes on the primary runoff The Democratic race doesn't feature notable policy splits along the lines of the progressive-moderate fissures that have opened around the country.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
17 Apr. 2026
-
The ledges are broken by crevices and fissures, and loose rocks of all sizes lie on them and below them.—
Dr. C. E. Kuschel,
Outdoor Life,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In sixteenth-century Italian pedante comedies, the Latin tutors—always the butt of the joke—are known more for the gaps in their knowledge than for their erudition.—
Clare Bucknell,
The New York Review of Books,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Policymakers, especially here in Tokyo, would be wise to accept more foreign workers to plug labor gaps, but that’s not a durable answer on its own.—
Catherine Thorbecke,
Twin Cities,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Asking them to leapfrog to low-carbon pathways while denying them finance, technology, and infrastructure undermines trust and fractures global cooperation—the very cooperation climate action depends on.—
Damilola Ogunbiyi,
Time,
19 Mar. 2026
-
South America fractures into a puzzle of fjords and channels at the southernmost tip of the continent, the Brunswick Peninsula, in Chile’s Magallanes Region, where the future park will protect temperate rainforests, shrublands, and vast carbon-capturing peat bogs.—
Mark Johanson,
Outside,
14 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The tissue surrounding these small crevices also warrants your full attention.—
Michele Ross,
SELF,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Factors To Consider Using boiling water works for specific situations, such as borders, crevices, and small patches as well as tiny weeds with shallow root systems.—
Lauren David,
Southern Living,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The Buckeyes spent 15 spring practices trying to fill holes and develop young talent to fill the void created by NFL attrition.—
Cameron Teague Robinson,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
So, nine holes into his pro-am practice round on Thursday, hours before the real competition started, Retief Goosen changed his grip.—
Stan Awtrey,
AJC.com,
27 Apr. 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
-
Drink, drugs and sometimes tears.—
Jessica Guynn,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Inheritance often tears families apart and much of that conflict is rooted in poor communication.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Mercury News,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The front lid appears to be barely hanging on by a thread, with cuts and gashes throughout.—
Amelia McBride,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Apr. 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 1 May. 2026.
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