divide 1 of 2

verb

də-ˈvīd How to pronounce divide (audio)
Definition of dividenext
1
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
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

divide

2 of 2

noun

1
as in dispute

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in rise

Synonyms & Similar 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
Using a spoon, divide the cheese into smaller sections and stir the two together (the cheese doesn’t need to be completely mixed in). Place the dish back in the oven for about 5 minutes until the cheese is melty. —Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 5 Apr. 2025 Arthur and his two brothers divided up the empire after K.C.'s death in 1992. —Roy Canivel, Forbes.com, 5 Apr. 2025
Noun
Beyond party allegiances, the election underscores a profound ideological divide within Ecuadorian society. —Antonio Maria Delgado, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2025 The protest is a clear indication of that divide; people are losing their jobs, legal protections, libraries are being shuttered, the list goes on. —Hanna Kang, Oc Register, 3 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for divide
Recent Examples of Synonyms for divide
  1. split
  2. separate
  3. dispute
  4. rise
  5. disconnect
  6. part
  7. fissure
  8. peak
Verb
  • Women often lose income, take on the bulk of caregiving, and carry the invisible labor of rebuilding a life, while men complain of the long-tail financial consequences of alimony, support payments, and assets split down the middle.
    — Ruhama Wolle, Glamour, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Weeks after rumors spread that Californian experimental hip-hop trio Death Grips had split, the band have now taken to social media to deny these claims.
    — Tyler Jenke, Billboard, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of split
Verb
  • The sleeping space is separated from the living room and kitchen by an arched wall, making this a good option for couples who don’t fear an open plan.
    — Erika Owen, Architectural Digest, 5 Apr. 2025
  • That said, a couple key differences in the eras: Goalies' gear covers more of the goal today Only a few years separate Ovechkin and Gretzky, but like any other sport, hockey equipment evolved during these four-plus decades.
    — Jim Sergent, USA Today, 5 Apr. 2025
Definition of separate
Noun
  • No arrests were made, and there was no further investigation into the dispute.
    — Charna Flam, People.com, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Approach with caution, look at reviews, and maybe don’t use your main credit card (or at least keep your bank’s dispute line handy).
    — Francesca Krempa, StyleCaster, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of dispute
Noun
  • Logins And Passwords With the rise of agentic AI, many more of us will find ourselves using AI that’s capable of connecting to and using third-party services.
    — Bernard Marr, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
  • With the rise in enrollment of international students, the amount these individuals spend in the U.S. also saw a spike of $43.8 billion, according to data collected by the Association for International Educators and JB International.
    — Lexi Lonas Cochran, The Hill, 6 Apr. 2025
Definition of rise
Verb
  • Police believed the caller had prime knowledge of the abductions, but the call was disconnected when a switchboard operator attempted to transfer it to investigators.
    — Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Leaders must also model the right behavior by disconnecting and supporting their employees doing the same.
    — Jennifer Liu, CNBC, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of disconnect
Verb
  • That's when glorious God gave Moses the power to part the water by raising his arm.
    — Holly Rizzuto Palker, Parents, 27 Mar. 2025
  • Jeffrey respected her wishes and the two parted for a summer.
    — Aditi Shrikant, CNBC, 19 Mar. 2025
Definition of part
Noun
  • The company’s drillers then inject water into the well, prying open the stone fissures and creating an artificial reservoir.
    — Alexander C. Kaufman, The Atlantic, 4 Apr. 2025
  • President Trump’s endorsement of Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) for Florida governor is revealing fissures among the state’s Republicans in a state that has become the center of the GOP universe.
    — Julia Manchester, The Hill, 25 Feb. 2025
Definition of fissure
Noun
  • Famous specialized in Jewish meals, at its peak serving a million kreplach and three million knishes a year.
    — Jeff Kleinman, Miami Herald, 1 Apr. 2025
  • April 22: Lyrid Meteor Shower Peak The Lyrid meteor shower runs from mid to late April, with the peak of activity in the pre-dawn hours of April 22.
    — Stephanie Vermillion, Travel + Leisure, 1 Apr. 2025
Definition of peak

Phrases Containing divide

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divests
divide
divided
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Cite this Entry

“Divide.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/divide. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.

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