DIVIDE Synonyms: 200 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

as in to split

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

as in to polarize

to cause (people) to break up into opposing groups Opinions about the war divided people who are otherwise likeminded.

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

divide

2 of 2

noun

as in dispute

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

as in rise

Related 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

Participants were divided into non-exercise and exercise-plus-diet groups, then randomly assigned to take either 10 grams of creatine monohydrate per day — administered in two 5-gram doses — or a placebo. — Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2026 This multiversal collapse not only erodes the walls dividing fictions but also reconfigures the interface between fiction and reality. — Harmon Siegel, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026

Noun

Cathy narrates, and here, too, in the Trask house, is another divide. — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2026 Olesen, a cross between a young Meg Ryan and Cameron Diaz, captures the divide between what Stacey feels and what people see. — Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 29 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for divide

Recent Examples of Synonyms for divide

Verb

Taiwan and China split after a civil war in 1949, but Beijing claims the island as part of its own territory.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2026
Without him, the court could split 4 to 4 and be unable issue a decision.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of split

Verb

This is to say that the deep structure of Shift cannot be separated from the implications of permanent decline.

— Jeffrey Weiss, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
Top Republican lawmakers oppose the measure, claiming that separating the two votes would allow political insiders to gain leverage in the race to replace the seat.

— Sofia Williams, Sacbee.com, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of separate

Noun

Seaver’s dispute with Danny Nozell, Parton’s longtime manager and the sole manager of She’s Alive LLC, first spilled into public view when Nozell sued him last month and sought the restraining order.

— Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 6 Oct. 2026
Sentara Health, a hospital system in Virginia with more than $14 billion of revenue, recently went through a contract dispute with Anthem, the health plan owned by Elevance Health.

— Bob Herman, STAT, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of dispute

Noun

The usual bleary nausea of such early rises is absent, shooed away by sobriety, exercises, and fruits and vegetables.

— CNT Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
During the following years that marked his rise to media stardom, Jamal emerged a national media figure representing the Somali position on a wide range of topics, including overseas piracy and the representation of Somalis in mass media.

— Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of rise

Verb

These are rooms that encourage guests to slow down, disconnect from digital intrusions, and recenter themselves.

— Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 3 Oct. 2026
As costs rise, Jenks expects utilities to disconnect more households because people won't be able to afford their bills.

— ABC News, ABC News, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of disconnect

Verb

Iris Law’s piecey pixie is parted to the side, with soft texture and a jagged, wispy bang for some edge.

— Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 27 Sep. 2026
On third-and-9 in the red zone, Kansas City’s front seven parted and gave up an 11-yard first-down run to Ollie Gordon, with De’Von Achane injured.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 27 Sep. 2026

Definition of part

Noun

This fissure triggered one of the 21st century’s bloodiest wars in 2020 when federal forces attempted to wrestle control of the large province of Tigray, leaving up to 600,000 dead by the time a ceasefire deal was signed two years later.

— Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 23 Sep. 2026
Groundwater steadily rises through fissures in the limestone bedrock, providing the spring with a constant flow of pristine water.

— Savannah Born, Travel + Leisure, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of fissure

Noun

That album drew Simmons’ bass and Bindeman’s drums to the fore of the mix, letting Harris’ guitar and vocals foam behind the rhythm section’s discrete peaks.

— Sasha Geffen, Pitchfork, 8 Oct. 2026
As new supply peaks, cash flow growth is improving and valuations are attractive relative to equities, according to Laughlin.

— Diana Olick, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of peak

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divided

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Style

“Divide.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/divide. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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verb

noun

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Synonyms of divide

verb

noun

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