as in separating
to set or force apart
disapproving parents who were willing to do anything to sever the young lovers
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Recent Examples of severing
Wilders had presented a 10-point plan focused on immigration and anti-Islam policies, including freezing asylum applications from Muslim-majority countries, leaving the European Union’s free-movement scheme, cutting foreign aid, and severing ties with Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
—
Callum Sutherland, Time, 28 Oct. 2025
Sheep wag their tails when happy, just like dogs — yet many are robbed of this simple joy in the wool industry, where tail severing is routine.
—George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Oct. 2025
Still, any Emirati response would likely stop at downgrading diplomatic ties rather than severing them, Reuters reported, citing people familiar with the matter.
—Yossi Shelley, semafor.com, 13 Oct. 2025
This shift is not about severing ties with Washington.
—Ben Bland, NPR, 7 Oct. 2025
The Leap is predicated on severing attachment to all things (see Laura’s inability to feel love for her baby), but love is a key factor in creating a secure attachment.
—Erin Qualey, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2025
Even a small peninsula could host a basic airfield and seaport to facilitate the movement of people and aid, severing Gaza’s unhealthy dependency on Israel and Egypt.
—Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib, The Atlantic, 23 Sep. 2025
Some of the charities spoke out in statements about the reasoning for severing ties with the Duchess of York.
—USA Today, 23 Sep. 2025
What sets Birmingham apart, though, is its ability to innovate without severing ties to those traditions.
—Rai Mincey, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Callum Sutherland, Time, 28 Oct. 2025
Sheep wag their tails when happy, just like dogs — yet many are robbed of this simple joy in the wool industry, where tail severing is routine.
—George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Oct. 2025
Still, any Emirati response would likely stop at downgrading diplomatic ties rather than severing them, Reuters reported, citing people familiar with the matter.
—Yossi Shelley, semafor.com, 13 Oct. 2025
This shift is not about severing ties with Washington.
—Ben Bland, NPR, 7 Oct. 2025
The Leap is predicated on severing attachment to all things (see Laura’s inability to feel love for her baby), but love is a key factor in creating a secure attachment.
—Erin Qualey, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2025
Even a small peninsula could host a basic airfield and seaport to facilitate the movement of people and aid, severing Gaza’s unhealthy dependency on Israel and Egypt.
—Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib, The Atlantic, 23 Sep. 2025
Some of the charities spoke out in statements about the reasoning for severing ties with the Duchess of York.
—USA Today, 23 Sep. 2025
What sets Birmingham apart, though, is its ability to innovate without severing ties to those traditions.
—Rai Mincey, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for severing
Verb
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She wed Thomas Evans in 2022, later separating.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
28 Oct. 2025
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The project features nearly 5,000 feet of new pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, including a dedicated path, new crosswalks and barriers separating vehicles from walkers, according to a news release from Louisville Parks and Recreation.—
Leo Bertucci,
Louisville Courier Journal,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Where to Stay While Umbria isn’t massive, dividing your trip into at least two home bases is highly recommended to appreciate the region’s slower tempo.—
John Skelton,
Travel + Leisure,
24 Oct. 2025
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Sympodial orchids must be propagated by dividing them, not pruning or trimming them.—
Leanne Potts,
Better Homes & Gardens,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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After splitting the first two games of the Fall Classic in Toronto, an 18-inning Game 3 went to the Dodgers in thrilling walk-off fashion, but since that fateful Freddie Freeman swing, the Dodgers have been outscored, 12-3, in the next two games.—
Gabe Smallson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
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Judge Melissa Moore Murphy also ordered Snelling to serve out the remainder of her house arrest at the home of her father, as opposed to splitting her time between both her mother and father's home as outlined in the court's initial pretrial release conditions.—
Chris Spargo,
PEOPLE,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In light of the delays, the NEADA is calling on utilities to suspend the practice of disconnecting service for households who don’t pay their bills until federal LIHEAP funds are released.—
Simmone Shah,
Time,
28 Oct. 2025
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Failing to install the device, or disconnecting or tampering with it, could result in a $600 fine or six months in jail.—
Hope Karnopp,
jsonline.com,
23 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Severing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/severing. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.
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