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
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
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
Noun
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
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
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
-
In practice, the audience fills in the gaps.—
Hanna Wickes,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Mar. 2026
-
CodeWall was tasked with identifying vulnerabilities and gaps in McKinsey’s Lilli chatbot, which the consulting firm rolled out in 2023 (and is now used by most McKinsey employees and clients).—
Alan Henry,
PC Magazine,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
When ambitious young athlete Jamal (SwagBoyQ) enters her life and confronts the dangerous world around her, everything fractures.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
4 Mar. 2026
-
And yet, beneath the applause and the accolades, something quietly fractures.—
Kaitlyn Gomez,
USA Today,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The trail will typically lead you to cracks and crevices where the colony is hidden.—
Alexandra Kelly,
Martha Stewart,
13 Mar. 2026
-
This helps the cake slide out of the crevices smoothly and easily without sticking to the pan.—
Karla Walsh,
Better Homes & Gardens,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Despite the par-5s making up just 12 of the 54 holes Åberg has played this week, more than 50 percent of his strokes gained against the field have come there.—
Justin Ray,
New York Times,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Ludvig Aberg was the model of control at The Players Championship, in the lead for 36 consecutive holes and marching to what looked to be a methodical win on the TPC Sawgrass.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 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
-
If the oyster tears slightly, don’t panic; flavor matters much more than perfection.—
Rai Mincey,
Southern Living,
10 Mar. 2026
-
His scientist creator, Victor Frankenstein, reluctantly agrees, but at the last moment tears the unfinished mate limb from limb as the creature watches on in horror.—
Leah Dolan,
CNN Money,
6 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 18 Mar. 2026.
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