RIFT Synonyms: 130 Similar and Opposite Words

rift 1 of 2

noun

ˈrift

Definition of rift

as in fissure

an irregular usually narrow break in a surface created by pressure a small rift opened in the earth's crust

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in gap

an open space in a barrier (as a wall or hedge) it was possible to peek through the rift in the fence and see the ball game

Synonyms & Similar Words

rift

2 of 2

verb

as in to rupture

Related Words

Dissimilar 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 rift

Noun

European leaders rushed to back Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy over the weekend amid a widening rift with the US, though the continent’s support for Kyiv may have an expiration date. — Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 11 Oct. 2026 There’s a Christian minister, Michael Hare, who’s also a consultant to churches experiencing those rifts. — Margaret Wappler, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026

Verb

Rami and Shirley can’t agree on what to do with the baby, which begins to rift their relationships. — Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Sep. 2024 However, the supercontinent began to rift and splinter in the late Triassic about 230 million years ago. — Gabe Allen, Discover Magazine, 15 Sep. 2022 See All Example Sentences for rift

Recent Examples of Synonyms for rift

Noun

In the show, the crew encounters a white hole spewing time and space into the universe, and the only way to close it is for Lister to play space pool, sinking a planet into the interdimensional fissure via an over-elaborate trick shot.

— Richard Edwards, Space.com, 10 Oct. 2026
Once moored, a boardwalk leads through old-growth forest to the fault itself, where ocean water is drawn in, heated up high and released through fissures in the rock.

— Adrienne Matei, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of fissure

Noun

The wealth gap has political stakes, too That sense of waiting for an opportunity has electoral relevance.

— Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026
After recent decreases in 2026/27 prices, the gap has closed, but prices for 2027/28 NY/ICE contracts have been trading at a discount to 2026/27 prices.

— SJ Guest Editorial, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of gap

Verb

The line ruptured in the area of North 62nd Avenue and Arthur Street after it was hit by a construction excavator.

— David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 16 Oct. 2026
That timeline has been pushed back multiple times — to 2025, then to early 2026 and then, after a fuel tank ruptured during a pressure test, to late 2026.

— Mike Wall, Space.com, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of rupture

Noun

The Tanana River in the background is flowing high, and most of the area between the river and the Bluff sparkles as sun rays glisten on the thousands of small pools and ponds that fill every dip and crevice in the land surface.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026
Some of these hunters spend hours in hopes of spotting a miniature ceramic smiley face peeking out of a crevice.

— Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of crevice

Noun

His unit had shown holes in the secondary, ranking 131st in the country in pass defense.

— Noah White, Miami Herald, 18 Oct. 2026
Joe Jackson ran for 159 yards and a touchdown, Avery Johnson threw for 203 yards and another score, and the Wildcats overcame a multitude of mistakes while rallying from an early 10-point hole to keep nearly two decades of dominance going.

— ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of hole

Verb

Michael Flynn was 28 and working towards earning his PHD in theoretical physics when the 30-foot-long dead tree limb fell over 27 feet onto him, fracturing his skull and changing his life forever.

— Madisen Keavy, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026
As a result, sudden freezing temperatures can cause materials to fracture easily.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of fracture

Browse Nearby Words

rifling

rift

rifted

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Style

“Rift.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rift. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of rift

noun

verb

Example Sentences

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