DIVIDE Synonyms: 200 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

divide 1 of 2

verb

də-ˈvīd

Definition of divide

as in to split

to set or force apart Volunteers divided the donated groceries into several dozen piles.

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to separate

to go or move in different directions from a central point The group divided based on those who wanted to go swimming and those who didn't.

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to polarize

to cause (people) to break up into opposing groups Opinions about the war divided people who are otherwise likeminded.

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

divide

2 of 2

noun

as in dispute

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

as in rise

Related Words

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

One clause said Marie had to divide the assets equally among two or more unspecified charities, while another said Marie could decide the amounts. — Alene Tchekmedyian, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026 Geologists use it to divide deep time into eons, eras, periods, and epochs based on changes that reflect changing conditions on Earth, its climate and chemistry. — Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2026

Noun

Georgia’s early voting surge is fueled by a growing geographic divide, with voters in metro Atlanta’s suburbs and other more populous areas casting ballots well ahead of their 2022 pace while much of rural Georgia lags behind. — Charles Minshew, AJC.com, 22 Oct. 2026 Ideological divide Americans’ views on how the government should support parents, split along party lines for generations, have been thrown into sharp relief this election cycle amid rising costs and declining birth rates. — Laina Gustafson, Christian Science Monitor, 22 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for divide

Recent Examples of Synonyms for divide

Verb

The students will have to avoid allowing political divisions that might split their movement.

— JOVANA GEC, Arkansas Online, 27 Oct. 2026
Early hands-on reviews broadly agree that the FP2 leans toward filmmakers, even though Sigma pitches it as an even split between stills and video.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of split

Verb

The criticism follows Hinson's move to separate herself from the president's handling of the war with Iran late last month.

— Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026
The Rams last won a district title in 2023, when schools were separated into Metro and Suburban and Seminole went 10-2 in a Metro district.

— Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of separate

Noun

But the movement has widened to include workers demanding relief from rising living costs, making the government’s task broader than resolving a dispute over university admissions.

— Thomas Adamson, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026
Debt, the deficit and high interest rates limit the government’s ability to increase spending and foreshadow disputes over how to fund campaign promises without jeopardizing social programs.

— Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of dispute

Noun

But, sea level rise is pushing them higher and higher, and experts say these higher-than-usual tides offer a taste of what an average day could look like in decades to comes, when seas are a few feet higher.

— Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 27 Oct. 2026
The rise of mail-in balloting has added fuel to both sides of the argument, with supporters of voter ID saying proof of citizenship should be required before a ballot is sent or when someone registers to vote.

— Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of rise

Verb

The Village House Situated in Teton Village and almost entirely surrounded by forest, this home makes disconnecting easy.

— Lindsay Cohn, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026
Andrew Kravchenko | Bloomberg | Getty Images After SpaceX restricted use of its Starlink and Starshield satellite internet services in Ukraine, causing fast-moving drones to disconnect and drop out of the sky, Kyiv is looking for alternatives.

— Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of disconnect

Verb

Birds and mammals parted evolutionary ways more than 360 million years ago, and bird brains evolved a different architecture.

— Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 23 Oct. 2026
Light Obsession™ Nandina thrives in full sun to part shade or dappled sunlight, but the best foliage color occurs in full sun.

— Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of part

Noun

In 1999, Glück imagined a creation story of sorts, describing small worlds that appeared in the fissures of a larger, shattered one.

— Hannah Goldfield, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026
The research reveals a fissure between how brand marketers measure the impact of personalization and how consumers experience its value.

— Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of fissure

Noun

Here are the peak dates to glimpse these dazzling celestial events, according to the American Meteor Society.

— Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2026
Turning on the heat a couple of hours before peak hours and turning it off after the higher rate kicks in can save you money.

— Dan Avery, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of peak

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divests

divide

divided

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Style

“Divide.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/divide. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of divide

verb

noun

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