Synonym Chooser

How is the word sunder distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of sunder are divide, divorce, part, separate, and sever. While all these words mean "to become or cause to become disunited or disjointed," sunder suggests violent rending or wrenching apart.

a city sundered by racial conflict

When is it sensible to use divide instead of sunder?

The words divide and sunder can be used in similar contexts, but divide implies separating into pieces or sections by cutting or breaking.

civil war divided the nation

When would divorce be a good substitute for sunder?

The words divorce and sunder are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, divorce implies separating two things that commonly interact and belong together.

cannot divorce scientific research from moral responsibility

When can part be used instead of sunder?

The synonyms part and sunder are sometimes interchangeable, but part implies the separating of things or persons in close union or association.

vowed never to part

When is separate a more appropriate choice than sunder?

Although the words separate and sunder have much in common, 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

Where would sever be a reasonable alternative to sunder?

The meanings of sever and sunder largely overlap; however, sever implies violence especially in the removal of a part or member.

a severed limb

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 sunder Dissonant brass chords sundered the hall’s warm air like lightning. Justin Davidson, Vulture, 18 Mar. 2024 Kim is intent on sundering the U.S.–South Korea alliance. Sue Mi Terry, Foreign Affairs, 25 Oct. 2022 At this point, a single atom of oxygen could mingle with two hydrogen atoms to form a molecule of water—a molecule that could, in a cosmic cycle of creation and destruction, still be sundered anew by high-energy radiation from stars and other astrophysical sources. Shannon Hall, Scientific American, 23 Feb. 2024 And not now, as Israeli airstrikes crashed around him for the third week, erasing more of his neighborhood and sundering hundreds of families and friendships. TIME, 28 Oct. 2023 See All Example Sentences for sunder
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sunder
Verb
  • On our trip to Greenville, Victor stopped at a road that divides two burial grounds in town.
    Erika Hayasaki, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 May 2025
  • What's Next Breastfeeding often divides public opinion, and will likely spark similar debates online in the future.
    Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 May 2025
Verb
  • The couples who were separated in the show — like Jack and Kate, Desmond and Penny and Sawyer and Juliet — all reunited in those flashes.
    Julie Tremaine, People.com, 23 May 2025
  • The two are separated by an Interstate 95 overpass and the complex intersection of South Miami Avenue, South Dixie Highway, Brickell Avenue and Southwest 26th Road.
    Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 23 May 2025
Verb
  • The song was released in 1973, only a few years after The Beatles split, highlighting how quickly the two reconnected.
    Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025
  • After a tumultuous on-and-off-again relationship, Tran and Brown officially split in late 2014.
    Alex Heigl, People.com, 16 May 2025
Verb
  • In November 2019, Bondi temporarily severed her ties to Ballard Partners and representation of the Qatari Embassy to serve as one of Trump’s defense attorneys amid his first impeachment inquiry.
    Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 13 May 2025
  • Trump weighs in But Trump, who has the power to continue or sever Washington's crucial supply of arms to Ukraine, took a different line.
    Tom Balmforth, USA Today, 12 May 2025
Verb
  • This ensures the event is as impactful and memorable as possible, rather than disconnected from the rest of your organization’s work.
    Dr. Kyle Elliott, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025
  • If time permits, lock your home upon departure and disconnect utilities and appliances.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 16 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sunder.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sunder. Accessed 27 May. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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