cleavage

noun

ˈklē-vij How to pronounce cleavage (audio)
Definition of cleavagenext
as in split
the act or process of a whole separating into two or more parts or pieces the cleavages of an egg as an embryo develops

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 cleavage This time around, instead of cleavage and double entendres, Sweeney was all smiles in a modest, casual look on the beach. — Gabrielle Fonrouge, CNBC, 28 May 2026 This is a book of profound intellectual altruism and moral urgency that insists on summoning courage despite (or because of) societal and political cleavage. — Anna Holmes, The Atlantic, 27 May 2026 Glowy body makeup Free the sideboob, the underboob, the cleavage, and the collarbone! — Loren Savini, Allure, 20 May 2026 The cleavage is overwhelming for her, the waist is completely suffocating, and the corset and the dress is heavy. — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 14 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for cleavage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cleavage
  1. split
  2. dissolution
  3. breakup
  4. partition
  5. division
  6. separation
Noun
  • Terrazas described the split within the millennial generation itself as one of the sharpest findings.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 18 Aug. 2026
  • But over time, the split between AI-easy and AI-hard changes, with much more of the work being AI-easy.
    — Bill Conerly, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of split
Noun
  • The dissolution of the ghettos in the eighteenth century could be interpreted as tearing down barriers, but now poverty set in and the wealthy separated from those who formerly shared a similar destiny.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 12 Aug. 2026
  • The potential dissolution of the Hapag-ZIM deal follows the collapse of one of the largest and fastest-growing container lines in the world.
    — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of dissolution
Noun
  • Beanie Bishop, one of the team’s newest corners, had two interceptions and a pass breakup.
    — Kevin Fishbain, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
  • In the second half, interior defensive lineman Leki Fotu, who started the game on defense, nearly intercepted a Carson Wentz pass with some good anticipation and a pass breakup underneath.
    — Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of breakup
Noun
  • These booths with partitions that closed you off from the nearby tables.
    — Emma Cline, New Yorker, 9 Aug. 2026
  • In June 2021, Curtin walked into a police station in Peterborough and slid one of the letters under the glass partition.
    — Zander Sherman, Rolling Stone, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of partition
Noun
  • Unfortunately, he has been reduced to a shadow of the fighter who once made his mark in the featherweight and lightweight divisions.
    — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Even as the 2024-25 season hoved into view, the phone failed to ring, prompting James to wonder if this really was it for a senior career that, up to then, had been spent exclusively in the top two divisions of the English game.
    — Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of division
Noun
  • The couple announced their separation in 2006, and their divorce was finalized in 2007.
    — Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 15 Aug. 2026
  • That added thermal control is especially important for larger ABS, ASA, nylon, and carbon-fiber prints, where stable chamber temperatures help reduce warping, shrinkage, and layer separation across the Max 4’s nearly 400mm build volume.
    — Michael Lydick, PC Magazine, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of separation

Browse Nearby Words

clear (up)
cleavage
cleavages
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cleavage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cleavage. Accessed 19 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on cleavage

Nglish: Translation of cleavage for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cleavage

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