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
Marc Zao-Sanders, Harvard Business Review, 1 June 2026
Reflecting on these piercing paradoxes, Dusabejambo’s narrative (co-written with Delphine Agut) cannot but be shaped by them; there are no simple resolutions for a reality defined by ruptures and ragged edges.
—Jessica Kiang, Variety, 26 May 2026
Health officials warned of severe risks if the chemical tank ruptures.
—Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 23 May 2026
Researchers now say structurally complex regions inside the fault act as barriers that limit how far earthquake ruptures can travel.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 15 May 2026
That probability also doesn't capture the full hazard in southern Cascadia, where evidence suggests that partial-margin ruptures of magnitude 8 and lower could occur, and even sooner, Kidiwela said.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 14 May 2026
To ensure this new technology is safe for the public, and to mitigate the inevitable economic ruptures, the government needs to step in and regulate it in the public interest.
—Elizabeth Shackelford, Twin Cities, 7 May 2026
To ensure this new technology is safe for the public, and to mitigate the inevitable economic ruptures, the government needs to step in and regulate it in the public interest.
—Elizabeth Shackelford, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2026
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
Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 10 June 2026
The heat ruptures the cell walls in the leaves, causing desiccation and ultimately killing the weed.
—Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Apr. 2026
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
Noun
Trends from one year to the next should be understood as shifts in emphasis, rather than stark ruptures.
—Marc Zao-Sanders, Harvard Business Review, 1 June 2026
Reflecting on these piercing paradoxes, Dusabejambo’s narrative (co-written with Delphine Agut) cannot but be shaped by them; there are no simple resolutions for a reality defined by ruptures and ragged edges.
—Jessica Kiang, Variety, 26 May 2026
Health officials warned of severe risks if the chemical tank ruptures.
—Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 23 May 2026
Researchers now say structurally complex regions inside the fault act as barriers that limit how far earthquake ruptures can travel.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 15 May 2026
That probability also doesn't capture the full hazard in southern Cascadia, where evidence suggests that partial-margin ruptures of magnitude 8 and lower could occur, and even sooner, Kidiwela said.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 14 May 2026
To ensure this new technology is safe for the public, and to mitigate the inevitable economic ruptures, the government needs to step in and regulate it in the public interest.
—Elizabeth Shackelford, Twin Cities, 7 May 2026
To ensure this new technology is safe for the public, and to mitigate the inevitable economic ruptures, the government needs to step in and regulate it in the public interest.
—Elizabeth Shackelford, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2026
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
Verb
The boiling water creates intense thermal shock that instantly ruptures the plant's cell walls, melting its protective waxy coating and causing the foliage to collapse and dehydrate, effectively cooking the plant tissue.
—Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 10 June 2026
The heat ruptures the cell walls in the leaves, causing desiccation and ultimately killing the weed.
—Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Apr. 2026
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
-
Osteoporotic fractures are responsible for more hospitalizations than heart attacks, strokes, and breast cancer combined, at $400,000 per hip fracture patient per year in care costs.—
Geri Stengel,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2026
-
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
Noun
-
The shock departure deepens Starmer’s political woes, exposing cabinet rifts with the Treasury over defense priorities and fueling Labour unrest and speculation that his grip on power is slipping.—
Jill Lawless,
Los Angeles Times,
11 June 2026
-
The breastfeeding billing battle UnitedHealthcare is cutting back on paying for lactation counseling, and the clinicians who provide those services are up in arms, another example of the deepening rifts between providers and insurers.—
Bob Herman,
STAT,
8 June 2026
Verb
-
Coming to the glum realization that love isn’t outlasting infatuation is trickier to write about than a more incendiary subject like unfaithfulness, but Rodrigo pulls it off.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
12 June 2026
-
In the end, an inexperienced minor – who has no idea who hired them – pulls the trigger.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
Most newcomers fade out or establish only a small population, but every so often a species explodes on the scene and becomes problematic.—
Meghan Bartels,
Scientific American,
9 June 2026
-
The roof of the central nave explodes with color, its gables decorated in vibrant ceramics.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
8 June 2026
Noun
-
Some of these fissures are healing, but the relationship between Wilson and the organization, including key former teammates, is not helping his candidacy.—
Mike Sando,
New York Times,
5 June 2026
-
Seismic images of mid-ocean ridges typically show rough and jagged terrain, formed when lava oozes up into the cold ocean along faults or fissures and hardens suddenly into stone.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
26 May 2026
Noun
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As the country heads toward a national election, the leader once celebrated as a healer is now viewed by critics as the main driver of these schisms.—
Nimi Princewill,
CNN Money,
31 May 2026
-
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
Verb
-
Continue reading … GLOVES OFF — Fired '60 Minutes' veteran rips new bosses as incompetent, claims pro-Trump bias.—
,
FOXNews.com,
8 June 2026
-
Both are subject to disruption from the Milky Way's gravity, which triggers bursts of star formation within them and rips away a stream of gas from both, called the Magellanic Stream.—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
7 June 2026
Verb
-
Just as the pair were celebrating finally taking Evan off-island for father-son bonding time on the mainland, a knock on the door bursts their bubble.—
Benjamin VanHoose,
PEOPLE,
3 June 2026
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Ruptures.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ruptures. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.
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