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
Kevin Freking, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2026
The move away from the revolution’s traditional red toward softer colors signals not a rupture, but a recalibration.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 30 Mar. 2026
Stefanie Waldek, Space.com, 7 Apr. 2026
In 1990, a tanker ship ran over its own anchor; a quarter century later, a pipeline on land ruptured, sending a river of oil straight to the sea.
—Jeffrey Marlow, New Yorker, 5 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rupture
Noun
Their working relationship experienced a rupture late last week when Johnson rejected Thune’s plan.
—Kevin Freking, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2026
The move away from the revolution’s traditional red toward softer colors signals not a rupture, but a recalibration.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 30 Mar. 2026
Verb
Late on July 29, 2025, the Earth's crust off of Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula ruptured.
—Stefanie Waldek, Space.com, 7 Apr. 2026
In 1990, a tanker ship ran over its own anchor; a quarter century later, a pipeline on land ruptured, sending a river of oil straight to the sea.
—Jeffrey Marlow, New Yorker, 5 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rupture
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rupture
Noun
-
Howe said that Lewis Miley, who has been out with a dead leg, should be available for selection for Newcastle’s match at Crystal Palace on Sunday, as will Sven Botman, who suffered a facial fracture against Sunderland and would play with a mask if required.—
George Caulkin,
New York Times,
10 Apr. 2026
-
The boy broke his femur and suffered a skull fracture and was taken to an area hospital, KOIN reported.—
Sam Gillette,
PEOPLE,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Whether that attention is welcome is secondary to what appears to be a deep — and potentially irreparable — rift on the political right.—
Kevin Dolak,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Brooklyn’s bombshell posts came after months of speculation about a rift between himself and his parents.—
Becca Longmire,
PEOPLE,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
But the next morning, the equipment had to be pulled.—
Peter Van Sant,
CBS News,
12 Apr. 2026
-
Many Democrats are pulling endorsements and demanding Swalwell exit the race.—
Diana Paulsen,
ABC News,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Rico, his wife Michele and daughter Mia burst from their chairs and cheer as Domino flexes his arms, each sleeved in tattoos of dominoes, palm trees and a Cuban cafetera with biceps.—
Phillip Valys,
Sun Sentinel,
11 Apr. 2026
-
My heart is constantly bursting open, while also breaking into a million pieces.—
Chanel Vargas,
InStyle,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The ledges are broken by crevices and fissures, and loose rocks of all sizes lie on them and below them.—
Dr. C. E. Kuschel,
Outdoor Life,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Reese’s remarks also struck a fissure in her relationship with ownership and the front office that, per a league source, never successfully healed.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Given the schisms, some in the GOP believe only a single party-line bill may end up passing before November.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
9 Apr. 2026
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But over the past decade or so, major schisms have emerged.—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The Bruins later broke the mark for the most players drafted from one team when Charlisse Leger-Walker was selected by Connecticut with the third pick in the second round.—
Briauna Brown,
CBS News,
14 Apr. 2026
-
The Toronto Maple Leafs aim to break a six-game skid with a win over the Ottawa Senators.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Old Herald clippings from 1986 reported about homeowners toilets and sinks smelling like gas, a 3-year-old getting rashes and fevers from drinking the well water and fear of driers exploding.—
Ashley Miznazi,
Miami Herald,
9 Apr. 2026
-
More advanced packaging methods took off as chip complexity exploded in the last few years with the advent of AI.—
Katie Tarasov,
CNBC,
8 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rupture.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rupture. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026.
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