SEVER Synonyms: 84 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

sever

verb

ˈse-vər

Definition of sever next

as in to separate

to set or force apart disapproving parents who were willing to do anything to sever the young lovers

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Militaries have spent years building up their defenses against drone warfare, with one of the most effective methods being the use of electronic jamming to sever the radio connection between the operator and the drone. —

Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 30 Apr. 2026 While the agreements are unlikely to deliver immediate increases in production, they are designed to open pathways for investment and reestablish commercial ties severed during years of sanctions and political rupture. —

Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 30 Apr. 2026 Why else would the Herto Man specimens that Elema helped find have had their heads severed from their bodies and scalped? —

Literary Hub, 30 Apr. 2026 In 2020, the animal rights group cited an alpaca farm in Peru supplying H&M, Gap and other brands for cruelty to its livestock, leading the brands to sever ties with the farm’s parent company, the Michell Group. —

Jennifer Bringle, Footwear News, 29 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sever

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sever

Verb

Because there isn’t a prospect separating from the pack, who wins the lottery will, in part, dictate which player goes first, depending on organizational need and philosophical preference.

— Corey Pronman, New York Times, 4 May 2026
As the liquids pass a separating membrane, ions transfer between sides to charge or discharge power.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 4 May 2026