1
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
2
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
3
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
1
as in dispute
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
2
as in rise
Related Words
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
M. Gessen, Mercury News, 7 Jan. 2026
Hispanics are divided about the action to remove Maduro in the same split as Americans overall.
—Anthony Salvanto, CBS News, 7 Jan. 2026
Tom Smyth, Vulture, 7 Jan. 2026
But, manicures pointed out an interesting divide.
—Essence, 5 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for divide
Verb
For years, Putin has been asserting a vision of a world divided by a few powerful men into spheres of influence.
—Noun
Everybody but Lisa has put her on trial, and the season ends on this anticlimactic divide.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for divide
Verb
-
Arsenal’s first half in the 4-1 home win against Aston Villa a week ago — when the visitors continuously broke through the middle of the pitch — was the perfect example of what happens when their partnership is split up, in this case by Rice’s knee injury.—
-
In the aftermath, Venezuelan society became further split between the wealthy, who wanted to work with the US, and the working class, who sought autonomy from the US.—
Verb
-
During that time, she was transferred five times between facilities, separated from family, denied access to counsel, and confined in conditions that were deeply troubling and inappropriate for any person, let alone a United States citizen.—
-
Additives often include preservatives to maintain freshness and texture or resist mold and bacteria, and emulsifiers to prevent ingredients from naturally separating.—
Noun
-
Opening arguments in a Stanford felony vandalism case began Friday amid sharp disputes over whether political views tied to Israel’s war in Gaza should factor into the trial — an issue that has shaped the case from its earliest stages.—
-
Police had initially said the shooting involved a family dispute but gave no specific details.—
Noun
-
When armed federal agents roll into residential neighborhoods under vague authority and maximal posture, the odds of catastrophe rise fast.—
-
True Caliber is noting the rise of under-counter appliances, such as their single- or dual-tap beverage dispenser, which can be configured for beer or cold brew.—
Verb
-
Oh, and don’t forget to disconnect your garden hose.—
-
If time permits, lock your home upon departure and disconnect utilities and appliances.—
Verb
-
The fringe is parted in the middle, falling naturally on both sides of her face without creating blunt or heavy lines.—
-
Would the two sides decide to part before the deadline?—
Noun
-
The fissure is on full display with those sharp lines in The Studio and Pluribus — shows, incidentally, from Apple, which more than any other company has normalized and cuddlified our current screen addiction.—
-
As his family tries to settle into their new neighborhood, Jin’s plot creates fissures between him and his wife and daughters, as well as their white, liberal neighbor.—
Noun
-
The woman used her headlamp light to alert crews and in a photo of the mountain her location can be seen as a white point of light in the vastness of the peak.—
-
Perhaps no one understands the ambition of a coach who reached this NFL peak after a steep climb than a West Virginia kid who arrived as an undrafted free agent out of Shepherd University.—
Cite this Entry
“Divide.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/divide. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share