RIFT Synonyms: 130 Similar and Opposite Words

rift 1 of 2

noun

ˈrift

Definition of rift

as in fissure

an irregular usually narrow break in a surface created by pressure a small rift opened in the earth's crust

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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

rift

2 of 2

verb

as in to rupture

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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 rift

Noun

Abiy’s persistent calls for sovereign access to Eritrea’s Red Sea port of Assab have alarmed Eritrea and deepened the rift. — Khaled Kazziha, Fortune, 19 Oct. 2026 Prince Harry, 42, and Meghan, 45, stepped back from their roles as working members of the royal family in 2020, putting their familial rift in the spotlight. — Stephanie Petit, PEOPLE, 16 Oct. 2026

Verb

Rami and Shirley can’t agree on what to do with the baby, which begins to rift their relationships. — Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Sep. 2024 However, the supercontinent began to rift and splinter in the late Triassic about 230 million years ago. — Gabe Allen, Discover Magazine, 15 Sep. 2022 See All Example Sentences for rift

Recent Examples of Synonyms for rift

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

Democrats still have an advantage in voting by mail, but that gap is smaller than in 2022 as more Democrats shift to early in-person voting.

— A Martínez, NPR, 23 Oct. 2026
The sell-off came despite the positive results, underscoring the gap between the treatment's clinical promise and investor expectations for its commercial potential.

— Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of gap

Verb

In May, an industrial tank containing another methacrylate compound ruptured in Orange County, California.

— Lana Zak, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026
Wide receiver Davante Adams will be out 6–10 weeks after rupturing his hamstring, head coach Sean McVay revealed following the shocking 18-16 loss to the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday at SoFi Stadium.

— Scott Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of rupture

Noun

Instead, fog clung to every nook and crevice of the glacial hulks surrounding us.

— Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Oct. 2026
The Tanana River in the background is flowing high, and most of the area between the river and the Bluff sparkles as sun rays glisten on the thousands of small pools and ponds that fill every dip and crevice in the land surface.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of crevice

Noun

In higher-dimensional gravity, certain black-hole-like objects, such as black strings, can become unstable and fragment.

— Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2026
Sabbatini played his final six holes in 6-under par, which included his 25-foot eagle putt from the fringe on the par-5 15th hole.

— ABC News, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of hole

Verb

The medical examiner found injuries to Paul Herlihy’s nose and jaw, fractures to his skull, and damage to his voice box.

— Natasha Holt, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026
Their partnership fractured over Gilpin's refusal to keep delivering dehumanizing racial slurs written into the script, a dispute that ultimately led to Gilpin being replaced by a young Paul Robeson when the production went overseas.

— La'Tasha Givens, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of fracture

Verb

However, could a black hole tear itself apart and become two black holes?

— Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2026
But this May, less than four years later, it was stripped for parts worth millions and crushed, the steel teeth of an excavator tearing through its fuselage at a facility on the outskirts of Phoenix.

— Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of tear

Browse Nearby Words

rifling

rift

rifted

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Rift.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rift. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of rift

noun

verb

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