Synonyms of split

split 1 of 3

verb

ˈsplit 

as in to divide

to set or force apart

split logs for the winter's supply of wood

Synonyms & Similar Words

• divide
• separate
• disconnect
• sever
• resolve
• divorce
• pull
• part
• isolate
• dissociate
• disassociate
• disunite
• decouple
• detach
• ramify
• subdivide
• uncouple
• dissever
• break up
• disjoin
• sunder
• disjoint
• dissect
• decompose
• unlink
• fragment
• dissolve
• cleave
• disintegrate
• bifurcate
• partition
• segment
• rip
• quarter
• unyoke
• tear
• halve
• disassemble
• rift
• segregate
• break
• break down
• bisect
• fractionate
• dichotomize
• rupture
• fracture
• cut off
• rend
• unravel
• fractionalize
• fragmentize
• trisect
• fragmentate
• insulate
• rive
• disengage
• disentangle
• seclude
• untie
• sequester

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• join
• unite
• combine
• unify
• link
• mix
• blend
• assemble
• couple
• associate
• connect
• mingle
• close
• bind
• stick
• attach
• accumulate
• knit
• fuse
• fasten
• weld
• cement
• agglutinate

split

2 of 3

noun

1

as in fissure

an irregular usually narrow break in a surface created by pressure

an earthquake left a split in the ground

Synonyms & Similar Words

• fissure
• crevice
• rift
• crack
• cleft
• check
• gap
• fracture
• rupture
• cranny
• slit
• opening
• chink
• cut
• craze
• breach
• crevasse
• incision
• hairline
• gash

2

as in breakup

the act or process of a whole separating into two or more parts or pieces

the split of the group into two factions marked the beginning of the end of the organization

Synonyms & Similar Words

• breakup
• partition
• dissolution
• division
• separation
• schism
• cleavage
• bifurcation
• fractionation
• dispersion
• fractionalization
• dispersal
• distribution
• scission
• sundering
• divorce
• polarization
• rupture
• decomposition
• disunion
• subdivision
• severance
• segregation
• breach
• scattering
• segmentation
• administration
• diffusion
• apportionment
• isolation
• dismemberment
• disassembly
• dichotomization
• seclusion
• atomization
• sequestration

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• union
• unification
• association
• connection
• assemblage
• combination
• conjunction
• attachment
• link
• linkage
• consolidation
• fusion
• aggregation
• linkup

split

3 of 3

adjective

as in divided

disagreeing with each other

opinions are split on the subject

Synonyms & Similar Words

• divided
• at odds
• at loggerheads
• disunited
• fractionated
• fractionalized
• balkanized
• cohesionless
• factious

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unanimous
• undivided
• united

Synonym Chooser

How is the word split different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of split are cleave, rend, rip, rive, and tear. While all these words mean "to separate forcibly," split implies a cutting or breaking apart in a continuous, straight, and usually lengthwise direction or in the direction of grain or layers.

split logs for firewood

When is cleave a more appropriate choice than split?

While the synonyms cleave and split are close in meaning, cleave implies very forceful splitting or cutting with a blow.

a bolt of lightning cleaved the giant oak

When might rend be a better fit than split?

In some situations, the words rend and split are roughly equivalent. However, rend implies very violent or ruthless severing or sundering.

an angry mob rent the prisoner's clothes

When can rip be used instead of split?

The words rip and split are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, rip implies a pulling apart in one rapid uninterrupted motion often along a line or joint.

ripped the shirt on a nail

When would rive be a good substitute for split?

The synonyms rive and split are sometimes interchangeable, but rive occurs most often in figurative use.

a political party riven by conflict

When could tear be used to replace split?

The words tear and split can be used in similar contexts, but tear implies pulling apart by force and leaving jagged edges.

tear up the letter

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of split

Verb

The workplace is splitting in two: those who know how to collaborate with AI, and those who don't. —Benjamin Laker, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025

My other friends didn't care and split the bill evenly. —Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025

Noun

After Blondie’s split in 1982, Burke stayed very busy performing and recording with a wide variety of bands, including the Romantics, Pete Townshend, Iggy Pop, Plimsouls, Bob Dylan, the Eurythmics, Joan Jett, Wanda Jackson, Dramarama, Nancy Sinatra and Johnny Thunders. —Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 7 Apr. 2025

The former couple dated for over three years before PEOPLE learned of their split in June 2024. —Sabrina Weiss, People.com, 7 Apr. 2025

Adjective

The evenly split committees must reach bipartisan agreements for bills to move to the floor. —Graham Underwood, arkansasonline.com, 17 Mar. 2025

The proposal for this project, which would cost between $3 million and $3.5 million, made it past Montgomery’s Planning and Zoning Commission, which in split votes recommended approval of the rezoning, special use and variances for the project to the Village Board. —Denise Crosby, Chicago Tribune, 16 Mar. 2025

Phrases Containing split

• split (on)
• split hairs
• split one's sides
• split second