SPLIT Synonyms: 172 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'split' different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of split are cleave , rend , rip , rive , and tear . While all these words mean "to separate forcibly," split implies a cutting or breaking apart in a continuous, straight, and usually lengthwise direction or in the direction of grain or layers. // split logs for firewood

Q: When is 'cleave' a more appropriate choice than 'split'?

While the synonyms cleave and split are close in meaning, cleave implies very forceful splitting or cutting with a blow. // a bolt of lightning cleaved the giant oak

Q: When might 'rend' be a better fit than 'split'?

In some situations, the words rend and split are roughly equivalent. However, rend implies very violent or ruthless severing or sundering. // an angry mob rent the prisoner's clothes

Q: When can 'rip' be used instead of 'split'?

The words rip and split are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, rip implies a pulling apart in one rapid uninterrupted motion often along a line or joint. // ripped the shirt on a nail

Q: When would 'rive' be a good substitute for 'split'?

The synonyms rive and split are sometimes interchangeable, but rive occurs most often in figurative use. // a political party riven by conflict

Q: When could 'tear' be used to replace 'split'?

The words tear and split can be used in similar contexts, but tear implies pulling apart by force and leaving jagged edges. // tear up the letter

split 1 of 3

verb

ˈsplit

Definition of split

as in to divide

to set or force apart You should split logs now for a winter's supply of wood.

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to polarize

to cause (people) to break up into opposing groups The party split over which tax policy to endorse.

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

split

2 of 3

noun

as in fissure

an irregular usually narrow break in a surface created by pressure an earthquake left a split in the ground

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in breakup

the act or process of a whole separating into two or more parts or pieces the split of the group into two factions marked the beginning of the end of the organization

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

split

3 of 3

adjective

as in divided

disagreeing with each other opinions are split on the subject

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word split different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of split are cleave, rend, rip, rive, and tear. While all these words mean "to separate forcibly," split implies a cutting or breaking apart in a continuous, straight, and usually lengthwise direction or in the direction of grain or layers.

split logs for firewood

When is cleave a more appropriate choice than split?

While the synonyms cleave and split are close in meaning, cleave implies very forceful splitting or cutting with a blow.

a bolt of lightning cleaved the giant oak

When might rend be a better fit than split?

In some situations, the words rend and split are roughly equivalent. However, rend implies very violent or ruthless severing or sundering.

an angry mob rent the prisoner's clothes

When can rip be used instead of split?

The words rip and split are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, rip implies a pulling apart in one rapid uninterrupted motion often along a line or joint.

ripped the shirt on a nail

When would rive be a good substitute for split?

The synonyms rive and split are sometimes interchangeable, but rive occurs most often in figurative use.

a political party riven by conflict

When could tear be used to replace split?

The words tear and split can be used in similar contexts, but tear implies pulling apart by force and leaving jagged edges.

tear up the letter

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 split

Verb

Assembling a boy band is a way of splitting the egg myself, and repairing an injury meted out by wrathful gods in one fell swoop. — Literary Hub, 26 Oct. 2026 Arkansas lawmakers did not redraw their maps — the state has an entirely Republican congressional delegation — but after the 2020 Census did split Little Rock up in a manner that made Hill's district more Republican. — Stephen Fowler, NPR, 25 Oct. 2026

Noun

In 2012, financial troubles effectively forced Belenenses to sell a controlling stake to an investment fund, and subsequent disputes between the club’s new owners and existing members led to a split. — Justin Birnbaum, Sportico.com, 22 Oct. 2026 Comcast chairman and Co-CEO Brian Roberts said staffers are eagerly anticipating the forthcoming split of NBCUniversal from the company’s broadband, pay-TV and wireless division. — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 22 Oct. 2026

Adjective

First seen on the runway in 2025, the Lyasa FF II shoe builds on a series inspired by the split-toe Asics footwear developed for astronauts participating in a space training program in 2008. — Stephen Garner, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026 One of the more thoughtful design decisions is the split outlet arrangement. — Michael Lydick, PC Magazine, 9 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for split

Recent Examples of Synonyms for split

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

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

Fifth-year cornerback Jaden Mickey made some big stops, including a pass breakup, while the defensive front produced four sacks for 37 yards and seven tackles for loss.

— Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 25 Oct. 2026
The incident demonstrated how quickly debris from a satellite breakup can disrupt operations in orbit.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of breakup

Adjective

The country faces a divided parliament with no majority and presidential elections in April 2027.

— Chloe Taylor,Jenni Reid, CNBC, 20 Oct. 2026
Yet views of Democrats remain divided, and many AAPI adults worry about election misinformation, voter suppression and legal challenges to results.

— Terry Tang, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of divided

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

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

And because the malicious software lives in the system partition, a normal uninstall won't remove the underlying infection.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026
That meant that ReactOS’s bootloader could read from an NTFS partition, but the OS was unable to be directly installed there.

— Nick Indge, ArsTechnica, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of partition

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

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splints

split

split hairs

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

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Synonyms of split

verb

noun

adjective

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Synonyms of split

verb

noun

adjective

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Phrases Containing split

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Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on split

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