as in separating
to set or force apart
disapproving parents who were willing to do anything to sever the young lovers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 severing
Foo Fighters followed suit in May, severing ties with their kit man, Josh Freese, to pursue a different creative direction following the death of their longtime drummer, Taylor Hawkins, in 2022.
—
Devon Ivie, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2025
Loro Piana has reaffirmed its commitment to improving its supply chain auditing, severing ties with suppliers found in violation of its agreements, as did Valentino, Giorgio Armani and Dior.
—Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2025
Before probation officers could carry out Keesler’s order and fix a monitor to Altunar’s leg, ICE agents again took him into custody — this time severing him from his lawyer for about a month, The Charlotte Observer previously reported.
—Julia Coin, Charlotte Observer, 28 Aug. 2025
When the internet in Iran is cut off, the images freeze or disappear, severing Maryam’s bond with her homeland.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 27 Aug. 2025
Australia has expelled an ambassador for the first time since World War II, ordering the Iranian envoy to leave the country and severing diplomatic relations after Canberra's security agencies concluded that Tehran had directed at least two antisemitic attacks in Australian cities.
—Robert Birsel
shane Croucher
amira El-Fekki, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Aug. 2025
When such imagery is detected, the entire screen is blocked, and any communications apps are closed, severing calls or live streams.
—Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025
No matter how volatile a breakup is, severing those ties can often be difficult, and parents are not quite sure how to juggle the need to interact with their co-parent.
—Jann Blackstone, Boston Herald, 17 Aug. 2025
Vineland is apt for our moment since the plot is set in motion by Reagan’s slashing of the federal government, unwittingly severing millions of connections, setting in motion events beyond anyone’s control, resurrecting the suppressed.
—Literary Hub, 5 Aug. 2025
Devon Ivie, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2025
Loro Piana has reaffirmed its commitment to improving its supply chain auditing, severing ties with suppliers found in violation of its agreements, as did Valentino, Giorgio Armani and Dior.
—Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2025
Before probation officers could carry out Keesler’s order and fix a monitor to Altunar’s leg, ICE agents again took him into custody — this time severing him from his lawyer for about a month, The Charlotte Observer previously reported.
—Julia Coin, Charlotte Observer, 28 Aug. 2025
When the internet in Iran is cut off, the images freeze or disappear, severing Maryam’s bond with her homeland.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 27 Aug. 2025
Australia has expelled an ambassador for the first time since World War II, ordering the Iranian envoy to leave the country and severing diplomatic relations after Canberra's security agencies concluded that Tehran had directed at least two antisemitic attacks in Australian cities.
—Robert Birsel
shane Croucher
amira El-Fekki, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Aug. 2025
When such imagery is detected, the entire screen is blocked, and any communications apps are closed, severing calls or live streams.
—Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025
No matter how volatile a breakup is, severing those ties can often be difficult, and parents are not quite sure how to juggle the need to interact with their co-parent.
—Jann Blackstone, Boston Herald, 17 Aug. 2025
Vineland is apt for our moment since the plot is set in motion by Reagan’s slashing of the federal government, unwittingly severing millions of connections, setting in motion events beyond anyone’s control, resurrecting the suppressed.
—Literary Hub, 5 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for severing
Verb
-
But that isn’t separating Texans from their steaks.—
Bud Kennedy,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 Sep. 2025
-
In 2022, the pair decided to spin the block after separating.—
Elizabeth Ayoola,
Essence,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The solution is to rejuvenate your plants every two to three years by digging and dividing the clump.—
Rita Pelczar,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 Sep. 2025
-
The main way to do that is by selling their tickets in virtually every state, rather than dividing up the country into different competing territories.—
Nathaniel Meyersohn,
CNN Money,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Part of what made that deal possible was Chelsea’s owners splitting their women’s team from their men’s and selling a minority stake.—
Asli Pelit,
New York Times,
11 Sep. 2025
-
In her later years, Keating was a snowbird, splitting her time between Massachusetts and Palm Springs, California.—
Dakin Andone,
CNN Money,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
My ultra earbuds keeps disconnecting randomly, and also first connection is problematic.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
3 Sep. 2025
-
The four-wheel-drive system features a disconnecting rear axle to improve fuel economy.—
Mark Phelan,
Freep.com,
22 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Severing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/severing. Accessed 13 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share