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
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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 rifts among these friends—particularly between Lucas and Coppola—could be severe.—
Michael O’Donnell,
The Atlantic,
10 Feb. 2026
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Nicole Fallert here, bringing you the news to know on Wednesday, from lawmakers' rifts over ICE reforms to an ongoing search for Savannah Guthrie's mother.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The system pulls from deep property data, 3D Matterport tours, neighborhood insights and proprietary school data to guide you.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
19 Feb. 2026
-
This trilogy pulls you into a nostalgic Holmes and Watson relationship between the main characters.—
Hali Smith,
Idaho Statesman,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Peter ultimately takes down his foe and escapes the van just in time before the truck explodes underwater.—
Ashley Boucher,
Entertainment Weekly,
19 Feb. 2026
-
The conversation continues as a dress explodes into cash.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Sourcing Journal,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Rupert Wyatt, the filmmaker behind Rise of the Planet of the Apes, was at the helm, exiting and returning to the project amid creative fissures.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Ice crystals—usually a hazard to vegetables—create small fissures in the surface.—
Anne Wolf,
Martha Stewart,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
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
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The fracturing of the television audience parallels the schisms in America’s political culture, with viewers and voters increasingly sheltering in partisan echo chambers.—
Karrin Vasby Anderson,
Washington Post,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Continue reading … LATE-NIGHT HOAX — FCC chair rips media for promoting claim CBS blocked Colbert-Talarico interview.—
,
FOXNews.com,
19 Feb. 2026
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Seguin rips Burleson, remains fourth in 8-5A Zoderick Green paced Arlington Seguin with 17 points as the Cougars held on to fourth place in District 8-5A with a 69-42 win over Burleson.—
Darren Lauber,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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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 24 Feb. 2026.
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