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

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 divide

Verb

Ayari had 13 outings in the second tier under Mark Robins at Coventry, divided between starts and the bench before switching to Blackburn in January 2024, enticed by the prospect of working under Jon Dahl Tomasson. —

Andy Naylor, The Athletic, 23 Jan. 2025 It was then divided and sold as 26 different lots in 1971, before being bought by a church and used as a convent. —

Raven Brunner, People.com, 23 Jan. 2025

Noun

Seven decades after fleeing North Korea, her story reveals war’s lasting wounds, with dreams as the only bridge across the divide. —

Matt Grobar, Deadline, 22 Jan. 2025 However, doubling down on climate policies that are in lockstep with our own political leanings will serve only to strengthen the divide. —

Joe Árvai, The Conversation, 22 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for divide

Recent Examples of Synonyms for divide

Verb

An additional 10 percent of those sales, plus the sales of books that are not earmarked for a specific store, gets split up and distributed to every store on Bookshop's platform.

— Boone Ashworth, WIRED, 28 Jan. 2025
Former chair and party finance director Fred Whitaker said understanding why some voters split their tickets and show ideological inconsistencies is crucial to making gains.

— Hanna Kang, Orange County Register, 27 Jan. 2025