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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In the bedroom, a Noguchi Akari lantern and antique French column topped with one of Gibbon’s ceramic vessels create a moment of interest without disrupting the room’s sense of calm.—
Kristen Flanagan,
Architectural Digest,
12 June 2026 -
If the current Gulf War, marked by controversy over control of the Strait of Hormuz, does not end soon, the conflict may shift from attacks on the transport of oil by sea to disrupting vital potable water resources.—
Ariel Cohen,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
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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Amanda Lee Myers is a senior crime reporter who covers the death penalty, cold cases and breaking news for USA TODAY.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
10 June 2026
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Aaron Judge slugged 62 home runs for the New York Yankees in 2022, breaking Roger Maris’ mythical American League record of 61 homers set in 1961.—
Sean Gregory,
Time,
9 June 2026
Verb
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The 20-year-old was a persistent nuisance pressing Swiss defenders and nearly produced a highlight-reel goal, ripping a powerful shot that Gregor Kobel tipped onto the crossbar with a spectacular save in the 49th minute.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 June 2026
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The fixtures, the beautiful chandeliers, ripping the wood out of the floor, selling off anything.—
Juliana Ukiomogbe,
InStyle,
4 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 13 Jun. 2026.
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