divorce 1 of 2

verb

Definition of divorcenext
as in to split
to set or force apart in your head you need to divorce your wishes and fantasies from the realities of the world as it is

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

divorce

2 of 2

noun

as in breakup

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word divorce distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of divorce are divide, part, separate, sever, and sunder. While all these words mean "to become or cause to become disunited or disjointed," divorce implies separating two things that commonly interact and belong together.

cannot divorce scientific research from moral responsibility

When is divide a more appropriate choice than divorce?

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

civil war divided the nation

When is it sensible to use part instead of divorce?

While the synonyms part and divorce are close in meaning, part implies the separating of things or persons in close union or association.

vowed never to part

When could separate be used to replace divorce?

In some situations, the words separate and divorce are roughly equivalent. However, 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

When can sever be used instead of divorce?

The synonyms sever and divorce are sometimes interchangeable, but sever implies violence especially in the removal of a part or member.

a severed limb

In what contexts can sunder take the place of divorce?

While in some cases nearly identical to divorce, sunder suggests violent rending or wrenching apart.

a city sundered by racial conflict

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 divorce
Verb
At the time of Rockefeller’s divorce, controversial civil rights legislation was being considered. —Karlyn Bowman, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025 The couple’s divorce was finalized on June 23, 1995; Huisentruit went missing four days later. —Mary Divine, Twin Cities, 16 July 2025
Noun
After their very public romance and split, Lopez wed Marc Anthony in June 2004, divorcing a decade later. —Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 17 July 2025 The former couple divorced in 2013 and Jason Aldean’s relationship with Brittany Aldean was confirmed by Us Weekly the following year. —Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 17 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for divorce
Recent Examples of Synonyms for divorce
  1. split
  2. breakup
  3. separate
  4. dissolution
  5. divide
  6. alienation
  7. disconnect
  8. severance
Verb
  • The experts split into teams representing the U.S. and China, and each side was armed with the weapons that its country is thought to possess.
    — Dexter Filkins, New Yorker, 14 July 2025
  • If their parents died, the sisters would split their inheritance.
    — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 14 July 2025
Definition of split
Noun
  • The two began dating and, after a brief breakup in May 2013, they got engaged in July of that year and then married one year later.
    — Erin Clack, People.com, 20 July 2025
  • After his high-profile breakup from Katy Perry, there are rumors that another A-list actress is trying to woo him.
    — Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 19 July 2025
Definition of breakup
Verb
  • Court began as a campus summer program in the 1950s but was professionalized and somewhat separated from the university by the late Nicholas Rudall, who led the theater for decades prior to his retirement.
    — Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 22 July 2025
  • Now, the digital operation sits at the heart of TNT Sports’ ambitions as the outfit transforms its portfolio of game rights and prepares for a 2026 split that will separate Warner Bros.
    — Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 22 July 2025
Definition of separate
Noun
  • The band's dissolution was hastened by Stone's drug abuse, which led to a pattern of ghosting his own shows.
    — Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
  • Rapid dissolution can introduce too much of the drug too quickly, experts said, potentially causing tremors, headaches and kidney failure.
    — Debbie Cenziper, ProPublica, 23 June 2025
Definition of dissolution
Verb
  • Hamilton County residents are divided on the new lease terms for Paycor Stadium.
    — Erin Glynn, The Enquirer, 25 July 2025
  • The California health system has divided his former positions amongst Michael Condrin (interim CEO) and Dr. Bruce Lee Hall (interim vice chancellor of human health sciences).
    — Alexis Kayser, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 July 2025
Definition of divide
Noun
  • McCullers has a real virtuosity for depicting alienation and giving people secret yearnings and personal histories.
    — The New Yorker, New Yorker, 16 July 2025
  • All of these factors and their contribution to alienation can foster authoritarian beliefs and individualism.
    — Nathan Meyers, The Conversation, 11 July 2025
Definition of alienation
Verb
  • If time allows, disconnect utilities and appliances.
    — NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 14 July 2025
  • For young people often disconnected from professional networks or mentors, Dream Reach Inspire aims to close that gap, one relationship at a time.
    — Essence, Essence, 14 July 2025
Definition of disconnect
Noun
  • Citi’s expenses rose 2% year over year to $13.6 billion, largely due to higher severance and technology investments.
    — Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 16 July 2025
  • They've been offered a severance and job placement assistance, the email to members said.
    — Jolene Almendarez, The Enquirer, 15 July 2025
Definition of severance

Browse Nearby Words

divisions
divorce
divorced
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Cite this Entry

“Divorce.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/divorce. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on divorce

Nglish: Translation of divorce for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about divorce

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