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2
as in gap
an open space in a barrier (as a wall or hedge)
it was possible to peek through the rift in the fence and see the ball game
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in to rupture
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of rift
Lauren Morganbesser, semafor.com, 23 Apr. 2026
Trump claims leadership rift in Iran Ship-tracking data showed the Majestic X in the Indian Ocean between Sri Lanka and Indonesia, roughly the same location as the oil tanker Tifani, which was seized earlier by American forces.
—Jon Gambrell, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026
Gabe Allen, Discover Magazine, 15 Sep. 2022
The police, unsurprisingly, started to fire tear gas canisters again, trying to rift and wedge the fleeing protesters.
—Quartz Staff, Quartz, 28 Dec. 2019
See All Example Sentences for rift
Noun
During the latest episode of his podcast, Rogan — fresh off a White House visit — dismissed online speculation that their rift runs deep.
—Lauren Morganbesser, semafor.com, 23 Apr. 2026
Trump claims leadership rift in Iran Ship-tracking data showed the Majestic X in the Indian Ocean between Sri Lanka and Indonesia, roughly the same location as the oil tanker Tifani, which was seized earlier by American forces.
—Jon Gambrell, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026
Verb
However, the supercontinent began to rift and splinter in the late Triassic about 230 million years ago.
—Gabe Allen, Discover Magazine, 15 Sep. 2022
The police, unsurprisingly, started to fire tear gas canisters again, trying to rift and wedge the fleeing protesters.
—Quartz Staff, Quartz, 28 Dec. 2019
See All Example Sentences for rift
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rift
Noun
-
Eyes on the primary runoff The Democratic race doesn't feature notable policy splits along the lines of the progressive-moderate fissures that have opened around the country.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
17 Apr. 2026
-
The ledges are broken by crevices and fissures, and loose rocks of all sizes lie on them and below them.—
Dr. C. E. Kuschel,
Outdoor Life,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The new batch of money is separate from a $245 million pool of new funds officials already allocated to help close looming budget gaps.—
Talia Soglin,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2026
-
The Canadian reverse logistics company’s pathway-level data report details the limitations, trade-offs and infrastructure gaps that defining the sector—something Debrand likened to opening the black box of textile circularity.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Footwear News,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
James Maddison sustained the injury during pre-season in August, Wilson Odobert tore his ACL in February, while Radu Dragusin ruptured the ligament in February 2025.—
Dan Kilpatrick,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
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Fewer than 24 hours after rupturing his Achilles in the first quarter of Game 4 on Saturday in Minneapolis — which ended his campaign — Wolves guard Donte DiVincenzo was set to have surgery to repair the injury on Sunday in New York.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The tissue surrounding these small crevices also warrants your full attention.—
Michele Ross,
SELF,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Factors To Consider Using boiling water works for specific situations, such as borders, crevices, and small patches as well as tiny weeds with shallow root systems.—
Lauren David,
Southern Living,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The Carolina Panthers didn’t have many holes to fill after a successful free agency, but there were a couple.—
Joseph Person,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
So, nine holes into his pro-am practice round on Thursday, hours before the real competition started, Retief Goosen changed his grip.—
Stan Awtrey,
AJC.com,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
By that point, the relationship had already begun to fracture.—
Seth Abramovitch,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Apr. 2026
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And even as the mainstream media continues to fracture, the global consumption of content is spiking.—
Caitlin White,
Variety,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Kancey, 25, tore his pectoral muscle in a Week 2 win at Houston and missed most of last season.—
Rick Stroud,
The Orlando Sentinel,
28 Apr. 2026
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So when Khalil is killed and his family targeted exactly because of this work, Jimmy is torn by guilt and grief.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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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
Cite this Entry
“Rift.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rift. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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