SUNDER Synonyms: 84 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'sunder' distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of sunder are divide , divorce , part , separate , and sever . While all these words mean "to become or cause to become disunited or disjointed," sunder suggests violent rending or wrenching apart. // a city sundered by racial conflict

Q: When is it sensible to use 'divide' instead of 'sunder'?

The words divide and sunder can be used in similar contexts, but divide implies separating into pieces or sections by cutting or breaking. // civil war divided the nation

Q: When would 'divorce' be a good substitute for 'sunder'?

The words divorce and sunder 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 'sunder'?

The synonyms part and sunder are sometimes interchangeable, but part implies the separating of things or persons in close union or association. // vowed never to part

Q: When is 'separate' a more appropriate choice than 'sunder'?

Although the words separate and sunder have much in common, 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: Where would 'sever' be a reasonable alternative to 'sunder'?

The meanings of sever and sunder largely overlap; however, sever implies violence especially in the removal of a part or member. // a severed limb

sunder

verb

ˈsən-dər

Definition of sunder

as in to divide

to set or force apart during the cold war East and West Berlin were sundered by an impenetrable wall

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How is the word sunder distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of sunder are divide, divorce, part, separate, and sever. While all these words mean "to become or cause to become disunited or disjointed," sunder suggests violent rending or wrenching apart.

a city sundered by racial conflict

When is it sensible to use divide instead of sunder?

The words divide and sunder can be used in similar contexts, but divide implies separating into pieces or sections by cutting or breaking.

civil war divided the nation

When would divorce be a good substitute for sunder?

The words divorce and sunder 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 sunder?

The synonyms part and sunder are sometimes interchangeable, but part implies the separating of things or persons in close union or association.

vowed never to part

When is separate a more appropriate choice than sunder?

Although the words separate and sunder have much in common, 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

Where would sever be a reasonable alternative to sunder?

The meanings of sever and sunder largely overlap; however, sever implies violence especially in the removal of a part or member.

a severed limb

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 sunder Comcast and Versant won’t be completely sundered after the split, as the USGA deal demonstrates. — David Bloom, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025 The company has already sundered its businesses internally into two divisions ahead of a formal separation. — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 6 Nov. 2025 It was booked to fly on a Soyuz in 2022, but Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February of that year sundered the international partnership that led to the deal, putting the satellite in mothballs for a spell. — Mike Wall, Space.com, 3 May 2026 Joining this transcontinental system, the Interregional Highway, a broad freeway that cut through the center of Austin starting in the 1940s, had already sundered neighborhoods from neighborhoods, and communities from communities. — Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 30 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sunder

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sunder

Verb

The revelation has divided Jefferson descendants for decades.

— Briana Stewart, ABC News, 4 July 2026
The sale sees the property divided into three lots with two buildable, giving the opportunity to create a treasurable family compound in rural seclusion just a 30-minute drive from the island’s main towns.

— Nielsen Dinwoodie, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026

Definition of divide

Verb

This is not Copenhagen, which has wide boulevards where vehicles and bikes can be easily separated.

— Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
The film tells the story of the tender yet destructive friendship between two 13-year-old boys who run away when they are threatened with being separated.

— Alissa Simon, Variety, 4 July 2026

Definition of separate

Verb

The result is uncommon room layouts like the tri-suite king room equipped with two twin-sized beds and a king bed split by a privacy divider that doubles as a playful art installation.

— Kailyn Brown, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026
Cutright, who was not charged with murder, split from Devastating Pyrotechnics to form Blackstar Fireworks on the property in 2023.

— Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 2 July 2026

Definition of split

Verb

If your pet already has a microchip, make sure the information is up to date; sometimes, even pets with microchips can’t be identified because the phone number associated with them has been disconnected.

— Sandra McDonald, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026
Without considering objects, understanding history is incomplete, leaving people today disconnected from those who lived it.

— Katherine Ott, The Conversation, 2 July 2026

Definition of disconnect

Verb

The Declaration of Independence was about severing the chains of a British monarchy and creating a government powered by the people with checks and balances.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
The Vatican said the consecrations, carried out without the pope’s approval and therefore in conflict with Catholic law, constituted a schismatic act that severed the society’s communion with Rome.

— Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 6 July 2026

Definition of sever

Browse Nearby Words

sundecks

sunder

sundered

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“Sunder.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sunder. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of sunder

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