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 city is divided along sectarian lines: The south is home mostly to Sunni Muslims, while the northern neighborhoods are mostly Alawite.
    Christina Goldbaum, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2025
  • Passengers are divided on the appropriateness of removing shoes during flights, citing comfort versus hygiene and safety.
    Christopher Elliott, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Heading into final rotation, the two championship hopefuls were separated by just 0.075.
    Henry Chappell, Kansas City Star, 17 Apr. 2025
  • After Wednesday’s win in Chicago, only one road win over the Hawks separates the Heat from making the playoffs for the sixth straight season.
    Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 17 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Women often lose income, take on the bulk of caregiving, and carry the invisible labor of rebuilding a life, while men complain of the long-tail financial consequences of alimony, support payments, and assets split down the middle.
    Ruhama Wolle, Glamour, 10 Apr. 2025
  • The workplace is splitting in two: those who know how to collaborate with AI, and those who don't.
    Benjamin Laker, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Challenges with management, staffing, food costs, and the service market forced us to file bankruptcy to sever contract liabilities.
    Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Apr. 2025
  • Bieber has also publicly severed ties with his fashion brand Drew House.
    Marina Watts, People.com, 17 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • People want to disconnect, and the Capella wants to help them in big and small ways.
    Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 13 Apr. 2025
  • If the acting isn’t capable of conveying the language, then people are going to disconnect.
    Jeanne Rawdin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sunder.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sunder. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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