divorce 1 of 2

Definition of divorcenext

divorce

2 of 2

verb

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

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

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 divorce
Noun
Fans begin speculating what led to their divorce. Los Angeles Times, 30 Mar. 2026 The city also has one of the lowest separation and divorce rates in the country, along with a low depression rate and high life expectancy, the study noted. Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 29 Mar. 2026
Verb
The March 23 filing from Jesse Mudd, Matt Bevin's attorney, notes the push for child support is the only remaining issue still open in the case, as the couple have been divorced now for more than a year. Lucas Aulbach, Louisville Courier Journal, 24 Mar. 2026 Within the Black community, men are more likely to be married than women, and Black women are more likely than Black men to be divorced, separated or widowed. Darcel Rockett, Chicago Tribune, 21 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for divorce
Recent Examples of Synonyms for divorce
Noun
  • The redshirt junior registered 13 tackles over just four games, which included three tackles for loss, a sack and two pass breakups.
    Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Mar. 2026
  • Smith was a rotational linebacker last year, ending the season with 31 tackles, two fumble recoveries and two pass breakups.
    Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 30 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The teams split two previous meetings, so the winner Monday wins the tiebreaker if the teams finish tie.
    Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 30 Mar. 2026
  • Boise’s new professional soccer team is one week away from its first home game after splitting a pair of road contests.
    Statesman staff report, Idaho Statesman, 29 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • As of publication time, the dissolution of the cooperative had not appeared on a state board agenda, nor was that scheduled for an upcoming meeting, according to the state.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 26 Mar. 2026
  • Experts warn that the island’s economic contraction has pushed Cuba into its most perilous state since the dissolution of the Soviet Union, its former economic sponsor and political protector.
    Sarah Fitzpatrick, The Atlantic, 22 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The fees would go to the city’s Housing Trust Fund, which offers money to separate development projects that create or maintain affordable housing across the city.
    Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 31 Mar. 2026
  • The two have largely been on their own since Estrada Juarez separated from Bello’s father nearly 20 years ago.
    Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 31 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The result thus far has been the intensification of American military pressure and the permanent alienation of Iran’s neighbors, some of whom will support or even join the war against it.
    Eliot A. Cohen, The Atlantic, 23 Mar. 2026
  • An illegible city produces anxiety, alienation and disorientation.
    Yunus Emre Tozal, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The site is being divided into several parcels, one destined for a Yokohama-like building with an attached hotel, another for housing, a third for shipping perishable freight.
    Justin Davidson, Curbed, 1 Apr. 2026
  • Polls show the nation is sharply divided over the issue of American citizenship for newborn children of unauthorized immigrants.
    Devin Dwyer, ABC News, 1 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The company has spent $569 million in severance in the most recent fiscal year.
    Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 30 Mar. 2026
  • The ruling Democratic Progressive Party, which has won three consecutive elections to stay in power since 2016, is at the forefront of efforts to accelerate the severance of its nation’s Chinese connection.
    Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 13 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • As a millennial Jewish woman who supports progressive candidates, this attitude feels stale and disconnected from the current political moment.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026
  • Besides causing building foundations to crack and roadways to heave, the expansion and contraction can cause pipes to disconnect, and the pipe couplings that an Atmos predecessor installed are not resistant to pulling out, the board found.
    ABC News, ABC News, 26 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Divorce.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/divorce. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.

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