as in tearing
to cause (something) to separate into jagged pieces by violently pulling at it
the prophecy that the disaster would cause people to rend their garments in mourning
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Recent Examples of rending
More notable still, perhaps, is the fact that calling for the release of the Epstein files has seemed to cut across the myriad divisions rending the Democratic Party.
—
Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 24 Apr. 2026
Guthrie’s willingness to take part in an interview with a visibly emotional Kotb was heart-rending.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 3 Apr. 2026
The emotional tribute paid homage to some of the most heart-rending high-profile deaths of the past year, including Diane Keaton, Robert Redford, and Rob Reiner, each of whom received their own dedicated homage.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Mar. 2026
The sagas of Icelanders—plotty, laconic, often heart-rending—constitute one of the oldest literatures in any language still commonly spoken.
—Literary Hub, 11 Feb. 2026
There’s also a poem that Anders gave Winslet for Mother’s Day years ago, and which plays a pivotal role in Goodbye June’s heart-rending climax.
—David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 25 Nov. 2025
Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 24 Apr. 2026
Guthrie’s willingness to take part in an interview with a visibly emotional Kotb was heart-rending.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 3 Apr. 2026
The emotional tribute paid homage to some of the most heart-rending high-profile deaths of the past year, including Diane Keaton, Robert Redford, and Rob Reiner, each of whom received their own dedicated homage.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Mar. 2026
The sagas of Icelanders—plotty, laconic, often heart-rending—constitute one of the oldest literatures in any language still commonly spoken.
—Literary Hub, 11 Feb. 2026
There’s also a poem that Anders gave Winslet for Mother’s Day years ago, and which plays a pivotal role in Goodbye June’s heart-rending climax.
—David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 25 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rending
Verb
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During a late-night safety test, the power plant’s Number 4 reactor exploded, tearing through the building and sending a column of radioactive material into the sky.—
Benjamin Mack-Jackson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
30 Apr. 2026
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The one that was about ambition and friendship and celebrating women, not tearing them down.—
Natalia Senanayake,
PEOPLE,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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With two outs and Andruw Monasterio at second following a double, the slumping Caleb Durbin came up with one of his biggest hits of the season, ripping an RBI double to put the Red Sox ahead.—
Mac Cerullo,
Hartford Courant,
25 Apr. 2026
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Images of the fire showed flames ripping through the building as firefighters carried out an exterior attack to extinguish the blaze.—
Louis Casiano,
FOXNews.com,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rending.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rending. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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