DIVORCE Synonyms: 175 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of divorce are divide , part , separate , sever , and sunder . While all these words mean "to become or cause to become disunited or disjointed," divorce implies separating two things that commonly interact and belong together. // cannot divorce scientific research from moral responsibility

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

The words divide and divorce 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 is it sensible to use 'part' instead of 'divorce'?

While the synonyms part and divorce are close in meaning, part implies the separating of things or persons in close union or association. // vowed never to part

Q: When could 'separate' be used to replace 'divorce'?

In some situations, the words separate and divorce 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 can 'sever' be used instead of 'divorce'?

The synonyms sever and divorce are sometimes interchangeable, but sever implies violence especially in the removal of a part or member. // a severed limb

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

While in some cases nearly identical to divorce , sunder suggests violent rending or wrenching apart. // a city sundered by racial conflict

divorce 1 of 2

noun

Definition of divorce next

as in breakup

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

divorce

2 of 2

verb

as in to split

to set or force apart in your head you need to divorce your wishes and fantasies from the realities of the world as it is

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word divorce distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of divorce are divide, part, separate, sever, and sunder. While all these words mean "to become or cause to become disunited or disjointed," divorce implies separating two things that commonly interact and belong together.

cannot divorce scientific research from moral responsibility

When is divide a more appropriate choice than divorce?

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

civil war divided the nation

When is it sensible to use part instead of divorce?

While the synonyms part and divorce are close in meaning, part implies the separating of things or persons in close union or association.

vowed never to part

When could separate be used to replace divorce?

In some situations, the words separate and divorce 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 can sever be used instead of divorce?

The synonyms sever and divorce are sometimes interchangeable, but sever implies violence especially in the removal of a part or member.

a severed limb

In what contexts can sunder take the place of divorce?

While in some cases nearly identical to divorce, 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 divorce

Noun

Lopez first filed for divorce from Affleck on Aug. 20, the same day as the second anniversary of their traditional wedding ceremony. —

Jodi Guglielmi, Rolling Stone, 7 Jan. 2025 Advertisement Foster and Jackman made their first public outing together two months after the former filed for divorce from screenwriter Ted Griffin. —

Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 7 Jan. 2025

Verb

Court records in Texas show Jabbar, who has been married and divorced twice, had written of financial troubles during his legal ups and downs with wives. —

Nick Penzenstadler, USA TODAY, 2 Jan. 2025 Of course, she’s been through things, [like] her parents divorcing. —

Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 22 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for divorce

Recent Examples of Synonyms for divorce

Noun

Suspicions of a breakup arose when Austin Butler was absent at the model’s annual family trip to Cabo San Lucas.

Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 8 Jan. 2025
The news signifies a breakup just one year into a massive, three-year contract extension Sporting KC gave Pulido after his 2023 campaign, when the striker returned from a yearlong injury absence to score 14 goals, leading a dramatic turnaround in the MLS standings.

Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 8 Jan. 2025