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
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
Not all friendships rifts are permanent.
—Literary Hub, 11 Mar. 2026
More recently, rifts have emerged over the war with Iran.
—Sarah Kallis, NPR, 10 Mar. 2026
Noun
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
Not all friendships rifts are permanent.
—Literary Hub, 11 Mar. 2026
More recently, rifts have emerged over the war with Iran.
—Sarah Kallis, NPR, 10 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rifts
Noun
-
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
-
Cracks and fissures are being monitored on several walls, ceilings and facades throughout the hall.—
Zachary Hansen,
AJC.com,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The grand promises have fallen short, but there’s a thriving market for AI systems that leverage humans to close gaps.—
Solo Ceesay,
Rolling Stone,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Oftentimes, these keyboards have circular keys instead of square ones, which allows for bigger gaps between the keys.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
10 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
-
Pay close attention to seams, edges and crevices where dust mites and debris collect.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Sacbee.com,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Stroll leisurely to admire the wide variety of wildflowers that grow along the ledges or dare to dip below the dramatic quartz and sandstone into the narrow crevices of the cliffs.—
Joie Probst,
Midwest Living,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Young birdied eight holes to go along with a bogey on the par-5 15th after going water.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
12 Apr. 2026
-
Select the Right Pot Oversized pots increase the risk of overwatering, so select a pot or planter that’s just 1 to 2 inches larger than your existing pot and make sure the pot has drainage holes in the base.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
12 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
-
As the GIs raise their guns, a pudgy hand in the backseat tears a strip of white cloth from his companion’s petticoat for the chauffeur to hang out the window.—
Alice Kaplan,
The New York Review of Books,
4 Apr. 2026
-
If the oyster tears slightly, don’t panic; flavor matters much more than perfection.—
Rai Mincey,
Southern Living,
10 Mar. 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 17 Apr. 2026.
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