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
  • The brand’s production is divided between Paris and Istanbul, the latter being a city with family ties for India.
    Andrea Onate, Footwear News, 30 June 2025
  • The Oval Office’s ‘One, Big, Beautiful Bill’ has divided opinion, after estimates from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) found the policies would cost the poorest Americans roughly $1,600 a year while increasing the income of the wealthiest households by an average of $12,000 annually.
    Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 29 June 2025
Verb
  • In a game where the Angels and Nationals combined for 24 runs and 30 hits — with the 19 hits and 15 runs given up by the Angels’ pitching staff representing season-worst marks — what ultimately separated the teams was the Angels’ inability to come through with runners on base.
    Benjamin Royer, Los Angeles Times, 28 June 2025
  • According to the London Times’ Philip Willan, a trade union that represents museum workers had previously warned the Uffizi about the risks posed by the platforms separating visitors from the art.
    Aurora Martínez, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • Plaid’s bank partnerships avoided years of licensing; TSMC’s $20B chip R&D was split with Apple/NVIDIA.
    Sahar Hashmi, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • Read more Climate Change New Microsoft AI Research Edges Towards 'Medical Superintelligence' Nuclear fusion differs from fission, or splitting atoms, which is how nuclear power is generated today.
    Jeff Young, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 June 2025
Verb
  • If time permits, lock your home upon departure and disconnect utilities and appliances.
    STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 July 2025
  • After swindling his way into loads of cash, Yoshii gradually attempts to disconnect from humanity, moving out of the city, shunning his girlfriend, and entrusting duties to his new, devoted assistant.
    Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • Tehran's shutdown came as part of its crackdown following escalating regional conflict, severing much of the country's digital communication with the outside world.
    Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 June 2025
  • Martinez Estrella plunged a large knife into Junior’s throat, severing his jugular vein.
    John Annese, New York Daily News, 29 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sunder.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sunder. Accessed 7 Jul. 2025.

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