Synonym Chooser

How is the word sever distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of sever are divide, divorce, part, separate, and sunder. While all these words mean "to become or cause to become disunited or disjointed," sever implies violence especially in the removal of a part or member.

a severed limb

When might divide be a better fit than sever?

The synonyms divide and sever are sometimes interchangeable, but divide implies separating into pieces or sections by cutting or breaking.

civil war divided the nation

When is it sensible to use divorce instead of sever?

The meanings of divorce and sever largely overlap; however, divorce implies separating two things that commonly interact and belong together.

cannot divorce scientific research from moral responsibility

When could part be used to replace sever?

In some situations, the words part and sever are roughly equivalent. However, part implies the separating of things or persons in close union or association.

vowed never to part

When would separate be a good substitute for sever?

The words separate and sever are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, separate may imply any of several causes such as dispersion, removal of one from others, or presence of an intervening thing.

separated her personal life from her career

When can sunder be used instead of sever?

While in some cases nearly identical to sever, sunder suggests violent rending or wrenching apart.

a city sundered by racial conflict

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of sever Korean War Veterans Memorial Foundation Army officials wanted to push North Korean forces into China and sever supply lines near the Chosin reservoir, the DPAA said. Kerry Breen, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2025 Social media images showed a number of trees that were severed at the base, while others were cut several feet above the pavement. Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2025 Earlier in 2020, the United Kingdom moved forward on the controversial Brexit deal and severed political ties with the European Union; major changes relating to trade took place in 2021. Susan Tompor, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2025 Challenges with management, staffing, food costs, and the service market forced us to file bankruptcy to sever contract liabilities. Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sever
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sever
Verb
  • Start setting up your financial system by separating your personal and business finances.
    Alejandra Rojas, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
  • Scammers and scalpers gravitate to these sites to make a quick buck off of people desperate for the new hotness, and will often elevate prices, post deceptive listings and more to separate you from your money.
    K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 28 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Bar Director Martino Franchi has built something ambitious here: a 21-strong cocktail list divided into three sections—Roots (for classics), Alchemy (for reimaginings), and Essence (for non-alcoholic drinks that aren’t an afterthought).
    Lela London, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
  • The winner will earn $3.1 million from a purse of $5 million divided among the top five finishers.
    Hayley Cuccinello, CNBC, 1 May 2025
Verb
  • This means attempting to please both existing extraction players and trying to pull in new players, but splitting the difference has produced mixed results.
    Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 3 May 2025
  • The pair confirmed their relationship on Instagram in October 2020, but appeared to have split sometime in 2021.
    Lynsey Eidell, People.com, 3 May 2025
Verb
  • This disconnect underscores that incentivizing childbirth without addressing these foundational issues risks overlooking the actual lives of mothers and children.
    Aisha Nyandoro, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025
  • If time allows, disconnect utilities and appliances.
    STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The agency will be required to submit a report showing who is being held and who was arrested, along with the reasoning for both, every 60 days until the lawsuit is resolved.
    Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 30 Apr. 2025
  • Beijing has yet to resolve its own structural economic problems.
    Zongyuan Zoe Liu, Foreign Affairs, 29 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sever.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sever. Accessed 13 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on sever

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