1
as in fractured
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 exploded
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 ruptured
James Maddison sustained the injury during pre-season in August, Wilson Odobert tore his ACL in February, while Radu Dragusin ruptured the ligament in February 2025.
—
Dan Kilpatrick, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
Then, in August 2025, a valve ruptured at the plant, causing an explosion that killed two people and injured 10 others, with potential environmental effects still unfolding.
—Ava Dzurenda, STAT, 24 Apr. 2026
Further investigation showed that the baby had suffered a skull fracture, ruptured blood vessels in her eyes, brain bleeding and swelling.
—Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 21 Apr. 2026
Potomac River sewage spill The lawsuit comes nearly four months after a 72-inch section of the Potomac Interceptor sewer line ruptured in mid-January near the C&O Canal National Historical Park in Montgomery County.
—Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 21 Apr. 2026
According to the lawsuit, this bypass also ruptured at least four times in February.
—Lily Carey, Baltimore Sun, 20 Apr. 2026
Tatum, who ruptured his Achilles in Game 4 of last year’s Eastern Conference semifinals against New York, enters Boston’s first-round series against the Philadelphia 76ers with no physical limitations.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 17 Apr. 2026
By comparison, a massive pipe that ruptured in January sent 244 million gallons (924 million liters) of untreated sewage into the Potomac River, affecting affluent, largely white communities.
—ABC News, 16 Apr. 2026
Aside from Butler and Moses Moody, who ruptured his patellar tendon in March, the Warriors could be without backup center Quinten Post (foot).
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2026
Dan Kilpatrick, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
Then, in August 2025, a valve ruptured at the plant, causing an explosion that killed two people and injured 10 others, with potential environmental effects still unfolding.
—Ava Dzurenda, STAT, 24 Apr. 2026
Further investigation showed that the baby had suffered a skull fracture, ruptured blood vessels in her eyes, brain bleeding and swelling.
—Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 21 Apr. 2026
Potomac River sewage spill The lawsuit comes nearly four months after a 72-inch section of the Potomac Interceptor sewer line ruptured in mid-January near the C&O Canal National Historical Park in Montgomery County.
—Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 21 Apr. 2026
According to the lawsuit, this bypass also ruptured at least four times in February.
—Lily Carey, Baltimore Sun, 20 Apr. 2026
Tatum, who ruptured his Achilles in Game 4 of last year’s Eastern Conference semifinals against New York, enters Boston’s first-round series against the Philadelphia 76ers with no physical limitations.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 17 Apr. 2026
By comparison, a massive pipe that ruptured in January sent 244 million gallons (924 million liters) of untreated sewage into the Potomac River, affecting affluent, largely white communities.
—ABC News, 16 Apr. 2026
Aside from Butler and Moses Moody, who ruptured his patellar tendon in March, the Warriors could be without backup center Quinten Post (foot).
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ruptured
Verb
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Word around baseball is all the losing has turned the Mets clubhouse, which has already been fractured these past couple years, into a joyless brig.—
Bill Madden,
New York Daily News,
2 May 2026
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The Angels catcher fractured his pisiform bone when a foul ball in Saturday’s game struck the tiny bone near his wrist on the pinky side of his left hand.—
Jeff Fletcher,
Oc Register,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
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And then the Sox exploded for the big second inning.—
LaMond Pope,
Chicago Tribune,
2 May 2026
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Specifically, on May 4, 1886, eight men were arrested by the Chicago police for inciting violence after a bomb exploded at a protest and chaos broke out, with officer and civilian deaths.—
Hannah Hudnall,
USA Today,
1 May 2026
Verb
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That’s when Talley allegedly pulled the pistol out from under a blanket, shooting one officer in the face and a second in the chin, authorities said.—
Meredith Colias-Pete,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
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The Dodgers pulled within 2-1 in the eighth inning when Freddie Freeman singled with one out to put runners on the corners and Smith delivered an RBI single to right field off of right-hander Michael Petersen.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The site’s sale section is always bursting with steep markdowns, but this month’s assortment is beyond impressive.—
Clara McMahon,
PEOPLE,
2 May 2026
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Many people are hoping—nay, praying—that the potential AI bubble will burst soon.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Tom Holland, more celebs zap their muscles with electricity to get ripped.—
Charles Trepany,
USA Today,
1 May 2026
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Kerfoot floated a perfect saucer pass over the defender’s stick, and Carcone ripped a one-timer into the top of the net to give Utah a 4-3 lead with just over seven minutes to play.—
Jesse Granger,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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But the Magic blew the comfortable lead and the game and head into Game 7 on Sunday in Detroit on the verge of an epic playoff collapse.—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
3 May 2026
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But Anderson’s deal, which averages $50 million in new money for three years, blew those numbers out of the water.—
Jonathan M. Alexander,
Houston Chronicle,
3 May 2026
Verb
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Sox third baseman Miguel Vargas broke the scoreless tie with a two-run single in the sixth inning.—
LaMond Pope,
Chicago Tribune,
3 May 2026
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Martinez’s goal in the 56th minute broke a 2-2 tie after Orlando had battled back from a 2-0 deficit.—
Kyle Foley,
The Orlando Sentinel,
3 May 2026
Verb
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Kancey, 25, tore his pectoral muscle in a Week 2 win at Houston and missed most of last season.—
Rick Stroud,
The Orlando Sentinel,
28 Apr. 2026
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James Maddison sustained the injury during pre-season in August, Wilson Odobert tore his ACL in February, while Radu Dragusin ruptured the ligament in February 2025.—
Dan Kilpatrick,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ruptured.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ruptured. Accessed 5 May. 2026.
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