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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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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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Meanwhile, its medium-range drones have also disrupted Russia’s supply lines to the front, and its long-range strikes have increasingly damaged Russian oil facilities that provide vital revenue for the Kremlin’s war effort.
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Record heat has disrupted schools and transportation networks and forced some tourist attractions, including the Eiffel Tower, to close.
Verb
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If you're ever torn between a classic red and a juicy strawberry at the nail salon, why not meet in the middle?
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Mara will have to avoid OKC’s first-round curse, as each of the Thunder’s last two lottery picks have torn an ACL before their rookie seasons.
Verb
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In the last year, Huston has broken his eye socket — twice — and his jaw, as well as lacerating his kidney, per posts on his social media.
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The eight best third-place teams get in with ties broken by goal differential and goals scored, if necessary.
Verb
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Lineage, which describes itself as the world's largest owner of cold storage facilities, experienced a fire at another of its warehouses, in Finley, Washington, which ripped through the entire building and burned for two months in 2024.
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The lessons aren’t all that different from the great breadstick campaign of 2014, when Starboard’s Jeff Smith’s play at Olive Garden parent Darden literally ripped the company for undersalting its pasta water in an effort to save money on pots and pans.
Verb
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The first fault that fractured is believed to be on the Boconó system, about 25 miles from the coast, Schmitz said.
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Starting pitcher Clay Holmes was impressive before New York Yankees rookie Spencer Jones fractured Holmes’ leg with a comebacker on May 15.
Cite this Entry
“Riven.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/riven. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.
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