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
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
What happens if a brain aneurysm ruptures?
—Kaan Ozcan, NBC news, 23 Oct. 2025
His goal is to build a support system for Andy, the half-brother, after Dyer has died and despite past family ruptures.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 7 Sep. 2025
Breaches of these ethical principles and standards can, in turn, significantly undermine public trust in the mental health field and lead to ruptures in existing therapeutic relationships—thereby placing Jewish clients at risk when seeking the safe, supportive spaces otherwise assured to them.
—Daniel Balva, Sun Sentinel, 21 Aug. 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
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
What happens if a brain aneurysm ruptures?
—Kaan Ozcan, NBC news, 23 Oct. 2025
His goal is to build a support system for Andy, the half-brother, after Dyer has died and despite past family ruptures.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 7 Sep. 2025
Breaches of these ethical principles and standards can, in turn, significantly undermine public trust in the mental health field and lead to ruptures in existing therapeutic relationships—thereby placing Jewish clients at risk when seeking the safe, supportive spaces otherwise assured to them.
—Daniel Balva, Sun Sentinel, 21 Aug. 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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At the same time, some Iranian Americans have openly welcomed the killing of Iran’s supreme leader and called for regime change, reflecting deep rifts within the diaspora over the conflict.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
3 Mar. 2026
-
General Daily Insight for February 28, 2026 Soft words can mend small rifts around us.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The LeMans pulls to a halt right where the camera can look through the open passenger window.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 Mar. 2026
-
About a minute later, the officer reaches in the vehicle, pulls the woman out and takes her to the ground.—
Elizabeth Campbell,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Autumn is when the park really explodes in color.—
Karthika Gupta,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Mar. 2026
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After a great deal of tense verbal sparring, the suspense explodes into violence and terror.—
Jordan Hoffman,
Entertainment Weekly,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Sandstone and limestone provided fissures and fractures where these hydrocarbons could sit, and caprock kept everything in place.—
Stephanie Pappas,
Scientific American,
6 Mar. 2026
-
The controversy has highlighted both religious and political fissures.—
Peter Smith,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Ferrante’s portrait of these schisms is exquisite, detailing all the jealousies and insecurities that can thrive in a friendship between two bright ambitious women.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 Mar. 2026
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There are still some trustbusters in the administration, especially at the FTC, which has avoided being pulled into messy lobbyist fights and White House schisms.—
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Above this playful mess of a beat, which includes a music box-like instrument that sounds partially broken, Shabaka rips out brief and noisy phrases on tenor sax.—
Mark Richardson,
Pitchfork,
12 Mar. 2026
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It’s generally accepted that John rips Carolyn’s engagement ring off her finger in the park, and returns it when sitting on the curb.—
Radhika Seth,
Vogue,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The 60-year immigration bubble finally bursts.—
,
FOXNews.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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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 16 Mar. 2026.
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