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
Pashinyan also repeatedly sought to soothe those fearful of severing ties with Russia, Armenia’s historical protector.
—
Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 8 June 2026
The longtime firefighter fell while in the water, and the tip of the foil wing sliced his neck, severing his trachea, according to initial reporting on the incident from Hawaii News Now.
—Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 6 June 2026
Baroni said the IronBirds’ move from minor league baseball to the MLB Draft League, severing the team’s tie to the local major league club and ensuring top Orioles prospects will no longer go through Aberdeen, has not affected fan or sponsorship interest.
—Taylor Lyons, Baltimore Sun, 3 June 2026
Then came the collapse of the Assad regime, in Syria, severing the land route long used by Hezbollah to transport rockets, antitank missiles, and precision-guidance systems from its Iranian patron.
—Euan Ward, New Yorker, 29 May 2026
Cook County Judge Thomas Lyons, presiding judge of the Law Division, granted a motion from the city of Chicago to split the trial in two, severing the claims of negligent hiring by the city from the allegations around the shooting by Officer Eric Stillman.
—Madeline Buckley, Chicago Tribune, 28 May 2026
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 and Giorgio Armani.
—Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 27 May 2026
Tang said this can be attributed to the fact that a doctor is severing a blood vessel that is situated between the uterus and the ovary.
—Sandra Rose Salathe, Flow Space, 15 May 2026
That department is severing ties with those 14 club teams, which UConn spokesperson Stephanie Reitz said also include men’s crew, cycling, equestrian, gymnastics, kickline, polo, running, sailing, ski, tap and woodsmen.
—Katie Servas, Hartford Courant, 14 May 2026
Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 8 June 2026
The longtime firefighter fell while in the water, and the tip of the foil wing sliced his neck, severing his trachea, according to initial reporting on the incident from Hawaii News Now.
—Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 6 June 2026
Baroni said the IronBirds’ move from minor league baseball to the MLB Draft League, severing the team’s tie to the local major league club and ensuring top Orioles prospects will no longer go through Aberdeen, has not affected fan or sponsorship interest.
—Taylor Lyons, Baltimore Sun, 3 June 2026
Then came the collapse of the Assad regime, in Syria, severing the land route long used by Hezbollah to transport rockets, antitank missiles, and precision-guidance systems from its Iranian patron.
—Euan Ward, New Yorker, 29 May 2026
Cook County Judge Thomas Lyons, presiding judge of the Law Division, granted a motion from the city of Chicago to split the trial in two, severing the claims of negligent hiring by the city from the allegations around the shooting by Officer Eric Stillman.
—Madeline Buckley, Chicago Tribune, 28 May 2026
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 and Giorgio Armani.
—Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 27 May 2026
Tang said this can be attributed to the fact that a doctor is severing a blood vessel that is situated between the uterus and the ovary.
—Sandra Rose Salathe, Flow Space, 15 May 2026
That department is severing ties with those 14 club teams, which UConn spokesperson Stephanie Reitz said also include men’s crew, cycling, equestrian, gymnastics, kickline, polo, running, sailing, ski, tap and woodsmen.
—Katie Servas, Hartford Courant, 14 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for severing
Verb
-
Dutch find separating goal to regain control With Japan in full control of momentum after the quick answer, the Netherlands parlayed a swing of possession into a winner in the 64th minute.—
Nick Harris,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
15 June 2026
-
Royal Marine Commandos and officers from Britain’s National Crime Agency boarded the vessel, the Smyrtos, in the English Channel, the body of water separating Britain and France, the ministry said.—
Freddie Clayton,
NBC news,
14 June 2026
Verb
-
Three massive, tree-like sculptures made of pale wood rise to the ceiling, dividing the room from the inviting bar.—
Irene S. Levine,
Forbes.com,
10 July 2025
-
What are the issues dividing the two sides?—
David McHugh,
Chicago Tribune,
6 July 2025
Verb
-
After Senegal turned the ball over, Michael Olise made the perfect pass, splitting two defenders, as Mbappé made a move upfield into the box.—
NBC News,
NBC news,
17 June 2026
-
And Whitehall, who began the day in a Tom Ford suit, had to change into a backup suit by Dunhill after splitting his pants.—
Erin Clack,
PEOPLE,
16 June 2026
Verb
-
The disconnecting decision must be made by Centennial City Council and was approved at a recent meeting.—
Michael Abeyta,
CBS News,
12 June 2026
-
Besides disconnecting space science communities, that could also introduce serious risks in orbit.—
Chelsea Gohd,
Space.com,
9 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Severing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/severing. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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