1
as in disrupting
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 tearing
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for riving
Verb
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At defensive corners, Salah normally assumes a blocking role, tasked with disrupting the runs of key opposition aerial threats.—
Liam Tharme,
New York Times,
12 Dec. 2025 -
Alcohol impairs the immune system through several mechanisms, said Ednie, including disrupting communication between immune cells and damaging the gut barrier — both of which can trigger widespread inflammation.—
Andrea Margolis,
FOXNews.com,
11 Dec. 2025
Verb
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That would be an enormous lift to Green Bay’s offense, as Kraft was having an All-Pro level season in 2025 before tearing his ACL.—
Rob Reischel,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
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Lee, who relieved fans by hitting his old high notes on night one, sounded even stronger on night two, gleefully tearing into the most challenging corners of their catalog.—
Brian Hiatt,
Rolling Stone,
10 June 2026
Verb
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State Medicaid programs might try to reroute some of those dollars — adding to their overall administrative nightmare created by all these late-breaking rule changes.—
Lisa Jarvis,
Mercury News,
16 June 2026
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This inclusive cheerleading team is now recognized as the largest unified cheer squad in the region, bringing together students of all abilities through competition, teamwork, and school spirit while breaking barriers along the way.—
Najahe Sherman,
CBS News,
16 June 2026
Verb
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Videos circulating online show jubilant Knicks fans stomping on Citi Bikes, climbing street lights, attempting to steal traffic signs, and ripping out poles cemented into the sidewalk.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
11 June 2026
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Fernandez responded by ripping a two-run double down the left field line.—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
11 June 2026
Verb
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Simmons played just three games upon his return before dislocating and fracturing his wrist during Kansas City’s Thanksgiving loss to the Dallas Cowboys.—
Pete Sweeney,
Kansas City Star,
9 June 2026
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Noah Hackey was among the babies who suffered injuries at the hands of Strotman after fracturing his tibia while in the hospital's NICU in September 2023.—
Escher Walcott,
PEOPLE,
8 June 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Riving.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/riving. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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