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
  • Fallout from President Trump’s break with Elon Musk is roiling a Republican Party that was already divided over the fate of the president’s landmark legislation.
    Michael Wilner, Los Angeles Times, 6 June 2025
  • Americans were also divided over what their separation means for the country, according to the survey, which has a margin of error of 2.1 percentage points.
    Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 6 June 2025
Verb
  • While they are legally separated, their divorce has stalled due to Girardi's conservatorship and legal troubles.
    Lynsey Eidell, People.com, 4 June 2025
  • Sea to land To separate the sea courses from the land courses, Bost serves a surprise palate cleanser, a dish of orgeat (almond flavored) ice cream topped with N25 Kaluga caviar, almond oil and shavings of aged celery root.
    Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 June 2025
Verb
  • The kids split their time between this house and their other parents' homes.
    Stephanie Warsmith, USA Today, 8 June 2025
  • The Federal Reserve is now overwhelmingly expected to keep rates on hold during its June and July meetings, with the market split over its September decision, according to the CME FedWatch tool.
    Billy Bambrough, Forbes.com, 8 June 2025
Verb
  • The fallout led to the end of their band, Attila, while Weber severed her relationships with both men.
    Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 6 June 2025
  • With Trump threatening to sever government ties with Musk's businesses, most notably SpaceX, Newsweek looked at the web of contracts that bind the billionaire's ventures to the U.S. government.
    Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 June 2025
Verb
  • If time permits, lock your home upon departure and disconnect utilities and appliances.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 7 June 2025
  • If time allows, disconnect utilities and appliances.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 7 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sunder.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sunder. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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