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
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
Achilles ruptures also decimated the 2025 NBA playoffs, befalling stars such as Indiana Pacers point guard Tyrese Haliburton, Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum and then-Milwaukee Bucks point guard Damian Lillard, who now plays for the Portland Trail Blazers.
—Matt Villano, CNN Money, 3 Dec. 2025
These ruptures can occur with little warning and range from minor tremors to destructive shocks, depending on how much energy is discharged.
—Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Nov. 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
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
Achilles ruptures also decimated the 2025 NBA playoffs, befalling stars such as Indiana Pacers point guard Tyrese Haliburton, Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum and then-Milwaukee Bucks point guard Damian Lillard, who now plays for the Portland Trail Blazers.
—Matt Villano, CNN Money, 3 Dec. 2025
These ruptures can occur with little warning and range from minor tremors to destructive shocks, depending on how much energy is discharged.
—Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Nov. 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
-
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
-
The medical examiner also observed multiple rib fractures and a sternal fracture, the autopsy shows.—
Kendrick Calfee,
Kansas City Star,
21 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Trump appears to have re-focused on the Danish autonomous territory while venting frustration at NATO, as the diplomatic fallout from the Iran war exposes rifts in Washington's ties with the security alliance.—
Leonie Kidd,
CNBC,
9 Apr. 2026
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Their contrasting positions mirror growing rifts within the Republican Party over whether military action against Iran is justified and appropriate.—
Michelle L. Price,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The turkey meat can maintain some give, but in a satisfying way that pulls the indigenous bird out of its homogenized Thanksgiving context.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Apr. 2026
-
The driver then pulls forward toward where the officers are standing and turns sharply.—
Nicole Acevedo,
NBC news,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Vann instantly explodes, then runs off into the distance, making it across the street before collapsing to the ground where a resident tried to help him with damp towels.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
7 Apr. 2026
-
There’s an intimacy to it in the verses, and then there’s a big dynamic jump, an octave jump between the verse and the chorus, which just explodes into this hopeful, optimistic thing.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
2 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
-
Cracks and fissures are being monitored on several walls, ceilings and facades throughout the hall.—
Zachary Hansen,
AJC.com,
3 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
-
But over the past decade or so, major schisms have emerged.—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Of course, Wallace already rips the ball away from dribblers more than anyone else.—
Fred Katz,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Continue reading … ROBES RIVALRY — Liberal justice Elena Kagan rips colleague Jackson's dissent in rare public break.—
,
FOXNews.com,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The 60-year immigration bubble finally bursts.—
,
FOXNews.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Once a cushioned conduit to the other side, the casket now bursts with the wisdom of a life lived outside the box.—
Elizabeth Hernandez,
Denver Post,
16 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ruptures.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ruptures. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.
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