variants
also rived
1
as in disrupted
to cause to separate into pieces usually suddenly or forcibly
road pavement that had been riven by the annual freeze-and-thaw cycle
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in torn
to cause (something) to separate into jagged pieces by violently pulling at it
the bitter disappointment threatened to rive my heart in two
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of riven
Through intimate encounters and unfiltered conversations, White Man Walking captures a nation riven by fear, disinformation, and historical grievance, while also offering glimpses of empathy and human connection.
—
Zac Ntim, Deadline, 8 Jan. 2026
Advertisement Venezuela is a country of 28 million people, riven by armed militias, criminal organizations, and Chavista loyalists who haven’t simply vanished because Maduro was helicoptered to New York.
—Bobby Ghosh, Time, 6 Jan. 2026
The Venezuelan opposition has always been riven with divisions.
—Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 5 Jan. 2026
Trump ends the year weak and unpopular, his coalition dispirited and riven by infighting.
—Michelle Goldberg, Mercury News, 30 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for riven
Zac Ntim, Deadline, 8 Jan. 2026
Advertisement Venezuela is a country of 28 million people, riven by armed militias, criminal organizations, and Chavista loyalists who haven’t simply vanished because Maduro was helicoptered to New York.
—Bobby Ghosh, Time, 6 Jan. 2026
The Venezuelan opposition has always been riven with divisions.
—Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 5 Jan. 2026
Trump ends the year weak and unpopular, his coalition dispirited and riven by infighting.
—Michelle Goldberg, Mercury News, 30 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for riven
Recent Examples of Synonyms for riven
Verb
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And of how Iran’s preparation for this World Cup has been disrupted, this is definitely among the more minor.—
Nick Miller,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
-
Travelers whose flights are disrupted should keep an eye out for change fee waivers and rebooking options from their airline.—
Zach Wichter,
USA Today,
16 June 2026
Verb
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Nichols organized a day where 26 volunteers came together to replace American tattered and torn flags with brand new ones, including David and Sue Hornbrook's torn flag.—
Charlie Lapastora,
CBS News,
15 June 2026
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Many of the other buses’ hoods, if not completely torn off, could be seen propped open.—
Kerry Burke,
New York Daily News,
14 June 2026
Verb
-
Any time a rule is broken the $100,000 pot is reduced.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
16 July 2025
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Jones called the current system broken and urged legal reform to prevent further tragedies and better protect the public.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
16 July 2025
Verb
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The ball was then taken by Julian Quinones, who took just one dribble toward the middle of the field and ripped a right-footed shot into the net, putting the crowd into a frenzy.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
11 June 2026
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According to Ferguson, the adults were ripped out of the car as children were screaming in the backseat.—
JT Moodee Lockman,
CBS News,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
Ramírez fractured his hamate bone on a swing in the fifth inning.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
13 June 2026
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Then Denver lost at home to New England in the AFC Championship Game without Nix, who fractured his ankle against Buffalo.—
Parker Gabriel,
Denver Post,
11 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Riven.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/riven. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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