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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
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
Becca Longmire, PEOPLE, 16 Apr. 2026 Political observers note the rift is unusually personal and public compared to past disagreements between the White House and the Vatican. —Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 14 Apr. 2026
Gabe Allen, Discover Magazine, 15 Sep. 2022 The police, unsurprisingly, started to fire tear gas canisters again, trying to rift and wedge the fleeing protesters. —Quartz Staff, Quartz, 28 Dec. 2019 See All Example Sentences for rift
Noun
Brooklyn's posts earlier this year came after months of speculation about a rift between himself and his parents. —Becca Longmire, PEOPLE, 16 Apr. 2026 Political observers note the rift is unusually personal and public compared to past disagreements between the White House and the Vatican. —Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 14 Apr. 2026
Verb
However, the supercontinent began to rift and splinter in the late Triassic about 230 million years ago. —Gabe Allen, Discover Magazine, 15 Sep. 2022 The police, unsurprisingly, started to fire tear gas canisters again, trying to rift and wedge the fleeing protesters. —Quartz Staff, Quartz, 28 Dec. 2019 See All Example Sentences for rift
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rift
Noun
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The ledges are broken by crevices and fissures, and loose rocks of all sizes lie on them and below them.— Dr. C. E. Kuschel, Outdoor Life, 9 Apr. 2026
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Reese’s remarks also struck a fissure in her relationship with ownership and the front office that, per a league source, never successfully healed.— Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 7 Apr. 2026
Noun
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This time, there wasn’t nearly as long of a gap between scoring outbursts.— Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 22 Apr. 2026
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The deal is Ascentium’s most recent in more than a dozen acquisitions, plugging a gap in the company’s mainland China coverage while deepening its footprint in hot Southeast Asian growth markets.— Nicholas Gordon, Fortune, 21 Apr. 2026
Verb
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According to the lawsuit, this bypass also ruptured at least four times in February.— Lily Carey, Baltimore Sun, 20 Apr. 2026
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Tatum finished with 25 points, 11 rebounds, seven assists and two steals in his first playoff game since rupturing his Achilles last May.— Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 19 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Pikelinia floydmuraria is commonly found in cracks and crevices of walls and around buildings in urban areas.— Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 15 Apr. 2026
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Use a soft brush — or even a toothbrush for tight crevices — and go gentle to avoid fraying the material.— Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Round pegs found round holes all over the pitch.— Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2026
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To make your yard appealing to a wide variety of bees, install several bee houses with nesting holes of varying sizes.— Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Democrats are likely to fracture over the FISA vote in the Senate.— Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 16 Apr. 2026
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Larissa and Charlie’s relationship doesn’t seem all that fractured.— Gregory Nussen, Deadline, 16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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On the Sonora stage Sunday, the 22-year-old Newark rapper-producer who arrived at the current screaming catharsis via a circuit of molting SoundCloud-era microgenres was at once dangerously commanding and euphoric while tearing through highlights from last year’s Revengeseekerz.— Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 21 Apr. 2026
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If a young tree contains lots of tents, just tear the silk open periodically with a stick to give birds, wasps, and other garden helpers easier access to the caterpillars.— Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 21 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Guthrie’s willingness to take part in an interview with a visibly emotional Kotb was heart-rending.— Brian Steinberg, Variety, 3 Apr. 2026
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The emotional tribute paid homage to some of the most heart-rending high-profile deaths of the past year, including Diane Keaton, Robert Redford, and Rob Reiner, each of whom received their own dedicated homage.— Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rift.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/thesaurus/rift. Accessed 24 Apr. 2026.
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