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
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
Preventing future disasters Detecting subtle fault scarps, which are long, narrow surface features that mark past ruptures and are often hidden beneath forest cover, should be a priority and can only be achieved through extremely precise mapping.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 15 Aug. 2025
Colleen Doherty, Verywell Health, 28 Nov. 2025
Noun
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
Preventing future disasters Detecting subtle fault scarps, which are long, narrow surface features that mark past ruptures and are often hidden beneath forest cover, should be a priority and can only be achieved through extremely precise mapping.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 15 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
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
-
Rather than just showing these thinkers reciting their greatest hits, the longform discussions showcase all of the contradictions (and occasional rifts) between members of the same movement.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
26 Jan. 2026
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And perhaps just as importantly, Adelman’s primary assessment of the first 41 games was that the depth hasn’t created any rifts over playing time.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
With his tree-bark rasp, Gabe raps hard as hell and pulls little storytelling tricks out of his bag.—
Alphonse Pierre,
Pitchfork,
30 Jan. 2026
-
This pulls you inward, asking you to confront subconscious patterns, private fears and unspoken truths.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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During high season the hotel scene explodes with a vengeance when New York, London, Paris, and Los Angeles all tend to converge in this very spot.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
30 Jan. 2026
-
In unedited body camera footage, an agent lobs what appears to be a flashbang into the air, which explodes in the same spot seen in the DHS video.—
Elizabeth Wolfe,
CNN Money,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The peak of Yosemite’s granite wall is higher than the tallest building in the world and requires climbers to navigate a maze of fissures, crevices and cracks.—
Alex Wigglesworth,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Jan. 2026
-
The fatal shooting sparked demonstrations nationwide and has deepened fissures between federal and state officials.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
20 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Political schisms deepened and common ground collapsed.—
Scottie Andrew,
CNN Money,
17 Jan. 2026
-
The right’s schisms were on full display during AmericaFest, Turning Point USA’s annual conference, which took place in Phoenix this past weekend.—
David Remnick,
New Yorker,
22 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
With Pres as the DJ, Gabe rips through damn-near all of Sortilège like a pro.—
Alphonse Pierre,
Pitchfork,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Fast forward to today, and, somehow, the tremendously rotund AMG GT rips down twisty roads with nearly as much athleticism as fare weighing 2,000-or-more pounds less.—
Peter Nelson,
Forbes.com,
20 Jan. 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 4 Feb. 2026.
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