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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The knock-on effect is a shortage of fuel and munitions for Russian frontline troops in southern Ukraine, further disrupting Russian President Vladimir Putin’s wartime goals.—
Gianluca Mezzofiore,
CNN Money,
20 June 2026 -
People attending the trial would also be prohibited from reacting, gesturing, wearing distracting clothing, or otherwise disrupting proceedings.—
Matthew Davisson,
CBS News,
19 June 2026
Verb
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The remnants of Tropical Storm Arthur battered parts of the southeastern United States with drenching rains and strong wind on Thursday, tearing through buildings, flooding homes and launching water rescues along the Gulf Coast.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
19 June 2026
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When Dick came down there was a sharp pain and a tearing sound at the back of my jacket.—
Dolores Brown,
Outdoor Life,
17 June 2026
Verb
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The perk here is that the material holds up to cold weather by stretching and expanding without breaking, requiring fewer repairs and resource use.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
17 June 2026
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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
Verb
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Videos posted on social media show fans fighting, ripping out street signs and banging on cars.—
Jared Ochacher,
CBS News,
12 June 2026
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Viral videos have shown fans breaking taxi windshields, throwing Citi Bikes and ripping street signs out of the ground.—
Ben Brachfeld,
PEOPLE,
12 June 2026
Verb
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By leveraging exact data and diagnostics, organizations can pinpoint exactly where their culture is fracturing—frequently among Black women, employees with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ professionals.—
Julie Kratz,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2026
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Kate Evans twice in the back with a 7-pound sledgehammer, fracturing her spine.—
Brian Melley,
Los Angeles Times,
12 June 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Riving.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/riving. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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