divide 1 of 2

divide

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noun

Synonym Chooser

How is the word divide distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of divide are divorce, part, separate, sever, and sunder. While all these words mean "to become or cause to become disunited or disjointed," divide implies separating into pieces or sections by cutting or breaking.

civil war divided the nation

In what contexts can divorce take the place of divide?

The words divorce and divide 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 divide?

While in some cases nearly identical to divide, 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 divide?

In some situations, the words separate and divide are roughly equivalent. However, 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 might sever be a better fit than divide?

The words sever and divide can be used in similar contexts, but sever implies violence especially in the removal of a part or member.

a severed limb

When is sunder a more appropriate choice than divide?

While the synonyms sunder and divide are close in meaning, 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 divide
Verb
During the animal chat, Tree Mail arrives and tells everyone to divide into pairs for that day’s immunity challenge. Brian Moylan, Vulture, 17 Apr. 2025 Weight Loss Differences Based on Dosages The researchers divided the participants into three groups based on their average weight loss.1 10% weight loss: This group lost weight steadily and reached an early weight loss plateau. Claire Bugos, Verywell Health, 17 Apr. 2025
Noun
From the agents’ perspective, Guerrero’s deal widened the divide between the superstars who are getting paid handsomely and the middle-class players who are getting squeezed out. Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025 Meanwhile, unwrap candies and divide by color into small heavy-duty zip-top plastic bags. Ann Taylor Pittman, Southern Living, 11 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for divide
Recent Examples of Synonyms for divide
Verb
  • But Francis also contradicted himself and split some very specific hairs regarding LGBTQ+ rights.
    Samantha Riedel, Them., 21 Apr. 2025
  • Shortly after their divorce, Hurley announced her engagement to the Australian cricketer Shane Warne, and the couple split in 2013.
    Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 20 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
  • Since our family has been separated, I have been devastated and confused.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Book dispute is one of three religious rights cases The case is one of three religious rights cases the Supreme Court is deciding in the coming weeks, and appears likely to be part of a recent trend of the court siding with religious rights advocates.
    Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2025
  • Congressional Republicans have so far shown little interest in negotiating the dispute between the president and the judiciary.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 22 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The rise and challenges of golden visa Programs Golden visa programs, also known as immigrant investor programs, first gained traction in the 1980s when tax havens like St. Kitts and Nevis introduced them to attract wealthy individuals.
    Meehika Barua, HubSpot, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Rivers such as the Red River of the South, the Arkansas, and the lower portion of the Missouri may experience a significant rise, AccuWeather said.
    Doyle Rice, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The extended time away allows employees to fully disconnect from workplace pressures and engage in restorative activities without the persistent distraction of pending work projects that often accompany shorter breaks.
    Caroline Castrillon, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025
  • If time permits, lock your home upon departure and disconnect utilities and appliances.
    STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • As clouds of thick smoke and dust began to part, the horror set in.
    Ashley Killough, CNN Money, 19 Apr. 2025
  • The clouds parted, and Fuji-san emerged to show off its snowcapped peak before the clouds once again obscured it from view, leaving us instead to admire Suruga Bay below.
    Kristen E. Pope, Travel + Leisure, 17 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • In total, Microsoft has invested $13.75 billion in the startup, but more recently, fissures in the relationship between the two companies have begun to show.
    Jordan Novet, CNBC, 5 Apr. 2025
  • The fissure of the volcanic eruption had broken through protective barriers around the town of Grindavik, and had reached 1,200 meters, or nearly 4,000 feet, in length.
    Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Doncic was traded seemingly at the peak of his career, which made the trade even more shocking and inexplicable.
    Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Plus, the act of putting a mask on in and of itself feels like peak self-care.
    Annie Blackman, Allure, 10 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Divide.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/divide. Accessed 27 Apr. 2025.

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