as in to rip
to cause (something) to separate into jagged pieces by violently pulling at it
the prophecy that the disaster would cause people to rend their garments in mourning
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 rend
In lesser hands, this might be one of those theatrical pieces that offers a nice excuse for actors to rend garments and gnash teeth onscreen — the sort of cinéma du Off-Broadway favored by microbudget indie directors and arthouse die-hards.
—
David Fear, Rolling Stone, 6 Sep. 2024
The cuts will rend apart the truss section and send the pieces plunging into the river, unpinning the Dali.
—Christine Condon, Baltimore Sun, 8 May 2024
Meanwhile, a deafening blast of noise keeps rending the air and forcing everyone to fold up like tulips at sunset.
—Tom Gliatto, Peoplemag, 21 Nov. 2023
The leader of the Cenobites can only invade Earth if the box is opened, but his attacks are some of the goriest captured on film: Metal hooks linked to chains obey Pinhead's commands and rend the flesh from his victims!
—Steven Thrash, EW.com, 19 Oct. 2023
See All Example Sentences for rend
David Fear, Rolling Stone, 6 Sep. 2024
The cuts will rend apart the truss section and send the pieces plunging into the river, unpinning the Dali.
—Christine Condon, Baltimore Sun, 8 May 2024
Meanwhile, a deafening blast of noise keeps rending the air and forcing everyone to fold up like tulips at sunset.
—Tom Gliatto, Peoplemag, 21 Nov. 2023
The leader of the Cenobites can only invade Earth if the box is opened, but his attacks are some of the goriest captured on film: Metal hooks linked to chains obey Pinhead's commands and rend the flesh from his victims!
—Steven Thrash, EW.com, 19 Oct. 2023
See All Example Sentences for rend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rend
Verb
-
Congressional Democrats have been eagerly drawing that contrast in recent days, ripping Trump for going abroad amid a crisis at home.—
Zachary Schermele,
USA Today,
26 Oct. 2025
-
Heard blitzed off the edge and arrived at running back Jamal Roberts at the same time as the ball, ripping it away for a turnover at midfield that led to the game-winning drive, capped by Pavia’s short touchdown run.—
Ralph D. Russo,
New York Times,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The spectroscopic observations have shown that gravitational tidal forces from the white dwarf have torn it apart, scattering debris from the planetary body onto the surface of the white dwarf.—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Whitney spends the film torn between exploring her family, friends, Asian bias, and trailblazers in the film industry, and creating a compelling, personable narrative to honor her family legacy.—
Destiny Jackson,
Deadline,
23 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rend. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share