1
as in fracture
an opening caused by the sudden tearing or breaking of something
The earthquake created a rupture that spanned several miles. Doctors identified a rupture in his aorta.
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2
as in rift
the loss of good relations
The incident caused a diplomatic rupture between the two countries. They've been working to mend the rupture in their relationship.
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1
as in to fracture
to cause to develop a hole, crack, or tear often in a sudden and forceful or violent way
She was out for the rest of the season after she ruptured a tendon.
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2
as in to burst
to develop a hole, crack, or tear often in a sudden and forceful or violent way
The pipeline ruptured, leaking thousands of gallons of oil. The fault could rupture during the next major earthquake. High blood pressure caused the blood vessels to rupture.
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Recent Examples of rupture
Big Think, 9 Feb. 2026
And then less than two weeks ago came the total rupture of her ACL in a race in Crans-Montana.
—Sally Jenkins, The Atlantic, 8 Feb. 2026
Anne Wolf, Martha Stewart, 8 Feb. 2026
Just nine days ago, Vonn ruptured her ACL in a training race in Switzerland.
—CBS News, 8 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rupture
Noun
Far from a rupture in the history of knowledge, artificial intelligence is the predictable outcome of a process in which thought was formalized, made transferable, and ultimately rendered executable without us.
—Big Think, 9 Feb. 2026
And then less than two weeks ago came the total rupture of her ACL in a race in Crans-Montana.
—Sally Jenkins, The Atlantic, 8 Feb. 2026
Verb
Fruit and Berries Just like other frozen foods, freezing causes water inside fruit cells to form ice crystals that rupture the cell walls.
—Anne Wolf, Martha Stewart, 8 Feb. 2026
Just nine days ago, Vonn ruptured her ACL in a training race in Switzerland.
—CBS News, 8 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rupture
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rupture
Noun
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The former Maryland star recovered from a hand fracture in the fall.—
Tony Catalina,
Austin American Statesman,
19 Feb. 2026
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The Heat have been alluding to the injury as a cartilage tear, while Herro has referred to the injury as a rib fracture.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
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While his remarks were broadly welcomed, European leaders pointed to American actions over the past year — trade pressure, demands to annex European lands, curbing support to Ukraine, to name a few — as having created a permanent rift.—
Prashant Rao,
semafor.com,
16 Feb. 2026
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The rift didn’t start in Europe.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Other technologies that could be phased out include waste heat recovery systems that pull heat from the car’s engine to the interior, solar reflective surface coating and high efficacy exterior lights.—
Julian Torres,
CNN Money,
22 Feb. 2026
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McIlroy got a four at the par-five first to pull even with the leaders, who both birdied it themselves 10 minutes later to move to 13 under.—
Steve Galluzzo,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The subject of threats and lawsuits and NCAA sanctions against the university, the Chief (portrayed by student Dan Maloney) burst onto the basketball court at Assembly Hall for his final, three-minute dance.—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Feb. 2026
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Mamdani’s demands don’t seem to be moving lawmakers either, bursting his socialist bubble.—
Joe Battenfeld,
Boston Herald,
21 Feb. 2026
Noun
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With the Fed already split along ideological lines, the fissure could grow deeper if former Governor Kevin Warsh is confirmed as the next central bank chair.—
Jeff Cox,
CNBC,
18 Feb. 2026
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Rupert Wyatt, the filmmaker behind Rise of the Planet of the Apes, was at the helm, exiting and returning to the project amid creative fissures.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Schmidt used more colorful language to describe Pack, attributing the schism to personality.—
Leo Schwartz,
Fortune,
17 Feb. 2026
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There are still some trustbusters in the administration, especially at the FTC, which has avoided being pulled into messy lobbyist fights and White House schisms.—
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Hubbard broke the school record for career three-pointers made by sinking four at Ole Miss.—
Tom Murphy,
Arkansas Online,
17 Feb. 2026
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The agency also released identifying details about the suspect who was caught on camera trying to break into Nancy Guthrie’s home.—
Jack Dunn,
Variety,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Since then, the fizzy dance challenge has exploded on TikTok, with tons of fans re-creating the clip’s silly dance moves in their kitchens, parking garages, living rooms, Times Square and hospital corridors.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
18 Feb. 2026
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Red fireworks are then seen exploding over the bridge.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rupture.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rupture. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.
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