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
There are other headwinds preventing successful AI deployments, namely distrust of the technology and fear of worker replacement, causing rifts between front-line employees and management.
—Scott Francis, Forbes.com, 20 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
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
There are other headwinds preventing successful AI deployments, namely distrust of the technology and fear of worker replacement, causing rifts between front-line employees and management.
—Scott Francis, Forbes.com, 20 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rifts
Noun
-
People with irritable bowel syndrome, diverticulitis, hemorrhoids, fissures, fistulas, rectal bleeding, heart disease, or high blood pressure should also avoid the procedure, Hazan says.—
Erica Sweeney,
Time,
11 May 2026
-
But there are fissures in the-- in the regime.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
10 May 2026
Noun
-
That means closing gaps quickly, improving leadership alignment and ensuring teams are focused on what drives results.—
Sue Mysko,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
-
One of the most glaring gaps lies between the infrared and millimeter-wavelength radio observations, but the Probe Far-Infrared Mission for Astrophysics (PRIMA) would fill much of it.—
Phil Plait,
Scientific American,
15 May 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
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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
-
Prevent Crickets From Returning Indoors Crickets often enter the home through small cracks and crevices, so prevention starts with sealing those entry points.—
Olivia McIntosh,
Martha Stewart,
16 May 2026
-
Designed to crawl through tight crevices or trudge across rough terrain, X-Humanoid says they’re being built for jobs that humans would rather not do.—
Mithil Aggarwal,
NBC news,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
Alex Smalley at least gets a head start thanks to his sublime play on the back nine at Aronimink Golf Club, with six birdies over his last 10 holes for a 2-under 68 and a two-shot lead.—
Doug Ferguson,
Chicago Tribune,
17 May 2026
-
If your tree is in a lawn, poke 6-inch deep holes around the drip line and pour the fertilizer into them.—
Rachel Silva,
Martha Stewart,
17 May 2026
Verb
-
The heat ruptures the cell walls in the leaves, causing desiccation and ultimately killing the weed.—
Andy Wilcox,
Better Homes & Gardens,
25 Apr. 2026
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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
Verb
-
The current moment tears the Band-Aid off this old conflict and the complex system underneath.—
Caroline Wagner,
The Conversation,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Drink, drugs and sometimes tears.—
Jessica Guynn,
USA Today,
28 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
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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 May. 2026.
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