SEVER Synonyms: 84 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'sever' distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of sever are divide , divorce , part , separate , and sunder . While all these words mean "to become or cause to become disunited or disjointed," sever implies violence especially in the removal of a part or member. // a severed limb

Q: When might 'divide' be a better fit than 'sever'?

The synonyms divide and sever are sometimes interchangeable, but divide implies separating into pieces or sections by cutting or breaking. // civil war divided the nation

Q: When is it sensible to use 'divorce' instead of 'sever'?

The meanings of divorce and sever largely overlap; however, divorce implies separating two things that commonly interact and belong together. // cannot divorce scientific research from moral responsibility

Q: When could 'part' be used to replace 'sever'?

In some situations, the words part and sever are roughly equivalent. However, part implies the separating of things or persons in close union or association. // vowed never to part

Q: When would 'separate' be a good substitute for 'sever'?

The words separate and sever are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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

Q: When can 'sunder' be used instead of 'sever'?

While in some cases nearly identical to sever , sunder suggests violent rending or wrenching apart. // a city sundered by racial conflict

sever

verb

ˈse-vər

Definition of sever next

as in to separate

to set or force apart disapproving parents who were willing to do anything to sever the young lovers

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How is the word sever distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of sever are divide, divorce, part, separate, and sunder. While all these words mean "to become or cause to become disunited or disjointed," sever implies violence especially in the removal of a part or member.

a severed limb

When might divide be a better fit than sever?

The synonyms divide and sever are sometimes interchangeable, but divide implies separating into pieces or sections by cutting or breaking.

civil war divided the nation

When is it sensible to use divorce instead of sever?

The meanings of divorce and sever largely overlap; however, divorce implies separating two things that commonly interact and belong together.

cannot divorce scientific research from moral responsibility

When could part be used to replace sever?

In some situations, the words part and sever are roughly equivalent. However, part implies the separating of things or persons in close union or association.

vowed never to part

When would separate be a good substitute for sever?

The words separate and sever are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 sunder be used instead of sever?

While in some cases nearly identical to sever, 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 sever The victim, whose finger was also severed by the kidnappers and for whom a ransom of several million euros was demanded, was released 58 hours later in a raid by security forces. —

Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 10 Feb. 2026 Electrical cables on a high-speed line were also severed, and a fire was started at an electrical cabin in the Adriatic town of Pesaro, the railway network said. —

Antonia Mortensen, CNN Money, 7 Feb. 2026 Then, in 2023, longtime member Emilio Ghanem vanished shortly after severing ties with the group, authorities said. —

Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026 Some have refused to sever ties with Attia. —

Dante Motley, Austin American Statesman, 5 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sever

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sever

Verb

Carl Sagan's baloney detection kit taught us how to separate good science from the work of charlatans.

— Big Think, Big Think, 10 Feb. 2026
His piece of genius separated the sides entering the 84th minute but during a chaotic finale, the hosts conspired to grab defeat from the jaws of victory.

— James Pearce, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026

Definition of separate

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“Sever.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sever. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.

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Last Updated: 16 Feb 2026 - Updated example sentences

Synonyms of sever

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