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
Ashley Capoot,lora Kolodny, CNBC, 18 May 2026
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
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
And whatever rifts had formed in his relationship with Altman were largely absent from social media.
—Ashley Capoot,lora Kolodny, CNBC, 18 May 2026
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
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
-
Seismic images of mid-ocean ridges typically show rough and jagged terrain, formed when lava oozes up into the cold ocean along faults or fissures and hardens suddenly into stone.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
26 May 2026
-
These seemingly harmless fissures on the surface of a watermelon can indicate deeper problems that affect both taste and freshness.—
Aksha Mittapalli,
Better Homes & Gardens,
24 May 2026
Noun
-
Fill in some of the scientific gaps about our solar system and the universe beyond with us.—
Regina G. Barber,
NPR,
29 May 2026
-
Find opportunities for legislative or policy fixes to address gaps in the law that limit the state's ability to intervene effectively.—
Adam Thompson,
CBS News,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
And Mary’s electric, palpably physical pursuit of justice becomes even more crucial in the final act, after a grotesque display of performative mockery toward Māori culture fractures the last remnants of civility present amid one of Cole’s lavish-yet-repulsive gatherings.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
17 May 2026
-
What fractures globalized production naturally results in higher prices just as what integrates global production naturally results in lower prices.—
John Tamny,
Forbes.com,
17 May 2026
Noun
-
Tiny hangers-on are tucked into pockets and cavort in crevices.—
Jeremy Lybarger,
Artforum,
2 June 2026
-
Divers have been pushing through tight crevices, with little light or air, and the constant risk that the weather could deteriorate and again flood the cave that rescuers have worked relentlessly to drain.—
Janis Mackey Frayer,
NBC news,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
After making par on each of the first nine holes, Lopez made her move on the back with four birdies.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 June 2026
-
Of the more than 40 million annual visitors to the state, about a quarter seek outdoor recreation, including fishing at the state’s extensive network of fishing holes—rivers like the Missouri and Mississippi, as well as more than 2,700 lakes—meaning a stop at Bass Pro is almost always in order.—
Arati Menon,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 June 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
-
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
-
If any of those are missing on the platform side, the acquisition will find the gap and pull on it until something tears.—
Louis Mosca,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2026
-
The Un Certain Regard best actor award went to Bradley Fiomona Dembeasset for his turn in Rafiki Fariala’s Congo Boy, playing a teen talent in the Central African Republic who dreams of a career in music as a civil war tears his country apart.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
22 May 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 9 Jun. 2026.
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