DIVIDE Synonyms: 186 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of divide are divorce , part , separate , sever , and sunder . While all these words mean "to become or cause to become disunited or disjointed," divide implies separating into pieces or sections by cutting or breaking. // civil war divided the nation

Q: In what contexts can 'divorce' take the place of 'divide'?

The words divorce and divide 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 'divide'?

While in some cases nearly identical to divide , 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 'divide'?

In some situations, the words separate and divide are roughly equivalent. However, 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 might 'sever' be a better fit than 'divide'?

The words sever and divide can be used in similar contexts, but sever implies violence especially in the removal of a part or member. // a severed limb

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

While the synonyms sunder and divide are close in meaning, sunder suggests violent rending or wrenching apart. // a city sundered by racial conflict

divide 1 of 2

verb

də-ˈvīd

Definition of divide next

as in to split

to set or force apart volunteers divided the donated groceries into several dozen piles

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to separate

to go or move in different directions from a central point the group divided based on those who wanted to go swimming and those who didn't

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

divide

2 of 2

noun

as in dispute

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in rise

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word divide distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of divide are divorce, part, separate, sever, and sunder. While all these words mean "to become or cause to become disunited or disjointed," divide implies separating into pieces or sections by cutting or breaking.

civil war divided the nation

In what contexts can divorce take the place of divide?

The words divorce and divide 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 divide?

While in some cases nearly identical to divide, 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 divide?

In some situations, the words separate and divide are roughly equivalent. However, 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 might sever be a better fit than divide?

The words sever and divide can be used in similar contexts, but sever implies violence especially in the removal of a part or member.

a severed limb

When is sunder a more appropriate choice than divide?

While the synonyms sunder and divide are close in meaning, sunder suggests violent rending or wrenching apart.

a city sundered by racial conflict

Examples 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 divide

Verb

Analysts are divided on whether Trump could use executive powers to create the reserve, potentially via the Treasury Department, or whether an act of Congress would be necessary. —

Hannah Lang, USA TODAY, 24 Dec. 2024 While Governor Andrew Bailey has previously signaled four rate cuts could be possible next year, traders are divided over when the Bank of England will resume lowering interest rates. —

Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 23 Dec. 2024

Noun

The elite-voter divide There wasn't just a partisan divide on trade, says Diana Mutz, a political science professor at the University of Pennsylvania. —

Danielle Kurtzleben, NPR, 20 Dec. 2024 The political left, especially George Soros, have worked for racial divide by pushing very questionable theories of victimhood. —

Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 18 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for divide

Recent Examples of Synonyms for divide

Verb

The two teams split in the regular season last year, but Conard beat Glastonbury in the CCC quarterfinals.

Lori Riley, Hartford Courant, 17 Dec. 2024
The couple will split time between Texas and Virginia, undoubtedly looking for one more property to save.

Chris Dorsey, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024