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

as in to separate

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 Colombia opened an embassy in Jerusalem on Wednesday, marking a major shift in relations with Israel after conservative President Abelardo de la Espriella restored diplomatic ties severed by his predecessor over the war in Gaza. — ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026 Fluorine is then released into the water as fluoride ions, while hydroxyl radicals and hydroxide ions help sever carbon-carbon bonds in the remaining molecular chains. — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 2026 One of those data cables had also previously been severed by the Chinese cargo ship Yi Peng 3 just one month earlier in November 2024, when that ship damaged two data cables in the Baltic region. — Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 14 Oct. 2026 But this ancient link between Mother Earth and today’s clocks looks set to be severed. — Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sever

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sever

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

Verb

Several aircraft could divide surveillance tasks or combine their efforts to improve coverage in a particular sector.

— Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026
Depending on your opinion of him (the fandom is divided), this one might not be your favorite.

— Anna Moeslein, Glamour, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of 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 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

Valter Mazzetti, secretary-general of the Fsp police union, told The Associated Press that soldiers could provide immediate reinforcements but not resolve police staffing shortages.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
Leaders said the agreement resolves several issues raised about the roles of state and local government in the stadium project, including land use and utilities.

— Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of resolve

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

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