rupture 1 of 2

noun

Definition of rupturenext
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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rupture

2 of 2

verb

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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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of rupture
Noun
The shift made what had once seemed like a final rupture into just another twist in the topsy-turvy relationship between the powerful senator and the president who came to dominate their party. — Will Weissert, Los Angeles Times, 12 July 2026 The rupture dumped nearly 13,000 barrels of heavy crude oil into a creek running through a rural pasture in Washington County, Kansas, about 150 miles (241 kilometers) northwest of Kansas City. — John Hanna, Chicago Tribune, 12 July 2026
Verb
In 1857, the southern stretch of the San Andreas fault ruptured, resulting in the Fort Tejon earthquake, one of the largest in the state's history. — New Atlas, 28 June 2026 One fault rupturing could prompt a nearby fault — almost already to rupture — to go off in a quake. — Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for rupture
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rupture
  1. fracture
  2. rift
  3. pull
  4. burst
  5. fissure
  6. schism
  7. break
  8. explode
Noun
  • When cracks form, water dissolves calcium-rich material from the clasts, which then recrystallizes as calcium carbonate, sealing the fracture.
    — Sam Macdonald, Scientific American, 11 July 2026
  • Therefore, one type of ankle injury would be some kind of fracture to one or more of the bones.
    — Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026
Definition of fracture
Noun
  • The altercation with Amarilla and the ongoing rift with Le Pen show that his identity remains up for political debate.
    — Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 13 July 2026
  • His assertive foreign policy made Qatar a key mediator from Darfur to Gaza, while backing Islamists and hosting Taliban talks deepened rifts with neighbors and Western partners.
    — Jon Gambrell, Los Angeles Times, 12 July 2026
Definition of rift
Verb
  • Eileen Tyrrell, a 27-year-old bookseller, pulled the cushions off her couch to arrange makeshift seating in her Brooklyn apartment.
    — Grey Battle, Washington Post, 16 July 2026
  • The strong currents from flash floods can pull drivers off roadways.
    — CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 15 July 2026
Definition of pull
Verb
  • Reservoirs were breached or burst after Tropical Storm Maysak hit Guangxi, sending torrents of water into towns and cities.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 July 2026
  • As other reviewers have also noted, sound quality is superb on the GA lawn, which was full to bursting with blankets and rentable lawn chairs.
    — Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 7 July 2026
Definition of burst
Noun
  • The fissure was visible before the war.
    — Clay Chandler, semafor.com, 19 June 2026
  • So, too, does the idea that a soccer coach could close fissures that even the well-meaning among career politicians have failed to seal.
    — Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 18 June 2026
Definition of fissure
Noun
  • The Vatican said dialogue was offered to the ​group ahead of the schism and that the step of ordaining ​bishops without ⁠church approval was considered so grave that excommunication was automatic.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 5 July 2026
  • Parishioners at Saint Agnes said they were saddened by the schism and would continue to pray for a united church.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 July 2026
Definition of schism
Verb
  • Vibes were good among volunteers and visitors from around the world and every corner of the United States — and among stadium staffers, who won raises in a late-breaking contract agreement that resulted in increases to more than $30 per hour.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2026
  • Even in games when England have struggled, those two have delivered, Bellingham breaking the deadlock against Panama, Kane single-handedly turning the game against DR Congo in the last 32.
    — Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 11 July 2026
Definition of break
Verb
  • With no natural predators and the ability to breed year-round, their populations have exploded over the decades.
    — Amber Harding OutKick, FOXNews.com, 5 July 2026
  • In early January 2025, weeks after UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was gunned down on the streets of New York City, a monstrous wildfire exploded in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles.
    — Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 5 July 2026
Definition of explode

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Cite this Entry

“Rupture.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rupture. Accessed 16 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on rupture

Nglish: Translation of rupture for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about rupture

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