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
  • 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
Verb
  • What separates book club and your memories of school reading class is that it’s supposed to be fun.
    Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 2 Aug. 2025
  • The nights following each new moon phase will see the line separating night from day on the lunar surface creep inexorably westward.
    Anthony Wood, Space.com, 2 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Judkins and his ex-girlfriend had split in December but were rekindling their relationship at the time of the incident, the report shows.
    Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 14 July 2025
  • 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
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
Verb
  • Carl Schulze, of Neenah, has used a wheelchair since 2007, when an accident severed his spinal cord and left him completely paralyzed.
    Madeline Heim, jsonline.com, 26 July 2025
  • An autopsy showed Turner died from a single gunshot wound to the head, which severed the brain stem.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 25 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sunder.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sunder. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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