rupture 1 of 2

noun

Definition of rupturenext
1
as in fracture
an opening caused by the sudden tearing or breaking of something The earthquake created a rupture that spanned several miles. Doctors identified a rupture in his aorta.

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2
as in rift
the loss of good relations The incident caused a diplomatic rupture between the two countries. They've been working to mend the rupture in their relationship.

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rupture

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to fracture
to cause to develop a hole, crack, or tear often in a sudden and forceful or violent way She was out for the rest of the season after she ruptured a tendon.

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2
as in to burst
to develop a hole, crack, or tear often in a sudden and forceful or violent way The pipeline ruptured, leaking thousands of gallons of oil. The fault could rupture during the next major earthquake. High blood pressure caused the blood vessels to rupture.

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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 rupture
Noun
Birthright might be the first work of fiction to capture the great rupture in the American Jewish community. — Hannah Seligson, Vanity Fair, 12 Aug. 2026 But both controversies reflect a growing rupture of trust between readers, writers, and publishers, as AI use – alleged or proven – continues to rock the literary world. — Cameron Pugh, Christian Science Monitor, 12 Aug. 2026
Verb
Each thread is extremely thin, and a web contains very little silk overall, so the absolute force needed to rupture several strands remains small. — Aliasger K. Salem, The Conversation, 4 Aug. 2026 But sooner or later, scientists say, California's earthquake faults will rupture in a way not seen in the modern era. — Rong-Gong Lin Ii Los Angeles Times, Arkansas Online, 2 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rupture
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rupture
  1. fracture
  2. rift
  3. pull
  4. burst
  5. fissure
  6. schism
  7. break
  8. explode
Noun
  • Coach Kyle Shanahan said Thursday evening that X-rays taken at Levi’s Stadium did not show a fracture but that because Rourke was having difficulty breathing regularly, the team took him to a local hospital as a precaution.
    — Matt Barrows, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026
  • After rashly stealing a man’s cigarette lighter on the subway, Ingeborg trips while making her getaway, resulting in a tibia fracture that threatens to take her out of commission for months on end.
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of fracture
Noun
  • From Nicholas Stoller and Francesca Delbanco, Platonic follows a platonic pair of former best friends approaching midlife (Seth Rogen and Rose Byrne) who reconnect after a long rift.
    — Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 17 Aug. 2026
  • The talent agency represents a number of top creators, including MrBeast, Charli D’Amelio and Alix Earle, who formerly worked with Cooper but left her network, causing speculation about a rift or possible feud between the two creators.
    — Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of rift
Verb
  • The Moon enters Sagittarius and your 4th House of Home, Family, and Emotional Roots, pulling your focus toward rest, privacy, space, or household needs.
    — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 20 Aug. 2026
  • With a steam engine, the boat pulled heavy cargo between Budapest and other towns along the Danube.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of pull
Verb
  • The Briton burst onto the scene last season, and already has 19 professional wins — his Vuelta debut has been much anticipated as Visma search for Van Aert’s long-term replacement.
    — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Pritzker celebrated the groundbreaking of several new data centers in Illinois before AI significantly burst onto the scene, including the opening of Meta’s data center in DeKalb in November 2023.
    — Ben Szalinski, Chicago Tribune, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of burst
Noun
  • The model also accounts for major geologic faults because the bedrock layer in those areas is more likely to have cracks and fissures, according to Campbell.
    — Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 15 Aug. 2026
  • The pitched and often emotional vote over Proposition 40 exposed deep fissures in the state party over how to respond to growing grassroots anger over wealth inequality.
    — Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of fissure
Noun
  • The lasting schism among religious groups would ultimately be linked to the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi (1948) and that of Indira Gandhi (1984).
    — Tracy Grant, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 Aug. 2026
  • But the Kirtland church community soon experienced schisms and conflicts over doctrine, money and authority.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of schism
Verb
  • De Lutiis scored himself in the 58th, backing up in support at the perfect time after an Australian attacking raid that started with flyhalf Carter Gordon breaking the defensive line and running 30 meters toward the right corner flag.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026
  • The ship may break a record for the longest trip away from its home port for a US carrier since the Vietnam War.
    — Tim Lister, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of break
Verb
  • The rivalry with Arsenal has really exploded recently, and that will add extra spice.
    — Nnamdi Onyeagwara, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Last week, Ukraine denied targeting Bulgaria after a drone entered the country's airspace on Saturday and exploded close to an international gas pipeline shortly after crossing the border from Romania.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of explode

Browse Nearby Words

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rupture
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Cite this Entry

“Rupture.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rupture. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on rupture

Nglish: Translation of rupture for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about rupture

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