1
as in fractures
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 rifts
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 pulls
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 explodes
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 ruptures
Connor Sturges, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Apr. 2026
Remarkably, the ruptures are minor and the tissue is adapted to heal quickly.
—Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 13 Apr. 2026
Enver Hoxha led the country through ephemeral alliances and radical ruptures, leading it to total isolation.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 8 Apr. 2026
The footage showed tubes with ruptures and other damaged structures that used to be inside the pressure vessel, which originally was enclosed.
—ABC News, 20 Mar. 2026
If a fatty deposit ruptures, a clot can quickly form and block blood flow—an event often linked to risk factors such as smoking, high blood pressure, and elevated cholesterol.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 10 Mar. 2026
The same physics in slip pulses are seen during earthquakes, when tectonic faults produce high-speed ruptures that sometimes move faster than the speed of sound.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 25 Feb. 2026
For any other animal, allowing body temperature to drop below freezing should result in the formation of ice crystals, which can cause dangerous ruptures to cells.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026
Is Bi commenting on the technological ruptures of the sound era?
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 18 Dec. 2025
Colleen Doherty, Verywell Health, 28 Nov. 2025
And this collision is very intense, but full of life and disobedience, and ruptures morality.
—Scott Feinberg, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Noun
While not a precise scientific designation, a megaquake is generally considered a large seismic event placed at an eight or higher on the Richter scale that ruptures along major faults and can trigger further events like tsunamis.
—Connor Sturges, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Apr. 2026
Remarkably, the ruptures are minor and the tissue is adapted to heal quickly.
—Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 13 Apr. 2026
Enver Hoxha led the country through ephemeral alliances and radical ruptures, leading it to total isolation.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 8 Apr. 2026
The footage showed tubes with ruptures and other damaged structures that used to be inside the pressure vessel, which originally was enclosed.
—ABC News, 20 Mar. 2026
If a fatty deposit ruptures, a clot can quickly form and block blood flow—an event often linked to risk factors such as smoking, high blood pressure, and elevated cholesterol.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 10 Mar. 2026
The same physics in slip pulses are seen during earthquakes, when tectonic faults produce high-speed ruptures that sometimes move faster than the speed of sound.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 25 Feb. 2026
For any other animal, allowing body temperature to drop below freezing should result in the formation of ice crystals, which can cause dangerous ruptures to cells.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026
Is Bi commenting on the technological ruptures of the sound era?
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 18 Dec. 2025
Verb
If the plaque within one of the coronary arteries suddenly ruptures, a blood clot forms on its surface.
—Colleen Doherty, Verywell Health, 28 Nov. 2025
And this collision is very intense, but full of life and disobedience, and ruptures morality.
—Scott Feinberg, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ruptures
Noun
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Upon arriving at the hospital, doctors determined that the colorful bird — belonging to the same family as crows and jays — had left quite a bit of damage, including multiple fractures in Montalva's left cheekbone and a rare fracture of the hyoid bone in her neck.—
Desiree Anello,
PEOPLE,
25 Oct. 2025
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The medical examiner also observed multiple rib fractures and a sternal fracture, the autopsy shows.—
Kendrick Calfee,
Kansas City Star,
21 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The deeper the rifts between the United States and Europe over Iran, the greater the chances of weakening the NATO alliance.—
Sudarsan Raghavan,
New Yorker,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Now that is her son’s task in his first visit to the former colonies since he was crowned, arriving amid rifts over the war in Iran and the future of NATO.—
Susan Page,
USA Today,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Sometimes a person opens the top of their skull to reach inside; in her painting Threading the Story Through the Eye of a Needle (circa 1974), a hand pulls a line of thread through a pupil, towing two tiny people in a boat, suggesting both sight and an idea made manifest.—
Nicole Rudick,
The New York Review of Books,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Inside, tender beef meatballs sit in a bright, zippy marinara that pulls everything into focus.—
Brock Keeling,
Oc Register,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In the original version, Sue just starts running away screaming because the head explodes.—
Fiction Non Fiction,
Literary Hub,
23 Apr. 2026
-
But this tranquility explodes when a shocking murder occurs, and a high-stakes investigation unfolds.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Eyes on the primary runoff The Democratic race doesn't feature notable policy splits along the lines of the progressive-moderate fissures that have opened around the country.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
17 Apr. 2026
-
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
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
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Anderson’s feat is overshadowed by Shaquille O’Neal, who rips down the backboard in the first quarter, delaying the game 45 minutes.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Apr. 2026
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Continue reading … TICKING CLOCK — CNN host Michael Smerconish rips Democrats for hiding behind War Powers deadline.—
,
FOXNews.com,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Haaland bursts our bubble almost immediately by scoring in the opening five minutes, and Burnley miss a few good first-half chances, with striker Zian Flemming particularly culpable.—
Nnamdi Onyeagwara,
New York Times,
23 Apr. 2026
-
The 60-year immigration bubble finally bursts.—
,
FOXNews.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ruptures.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ruptures. Accessed 29 Apr. 2026.
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