SEVER Synonyms: 84 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'sever' distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of sever are divide , divorce , part , separate , and sunder . While all these words mean "to become or cause to become disunited or disjointed," sever implies violence especially in the removal of a part or member. // a severed limb

Q: When might 'divide' be a better fit than 'sever'?

The synonyms divide and sever are sometimes interchangeable, but divide implies separating into pieces or sections by cutting or breaking. // civil war divided the nation

Q: When is it sensible to use 'divorce' instead of 'sever'?

The meanings of divorce and sever largely overlap; however, divorce implies separating two things that commonly interact and belong together. // cannot divorce scientific research from moral responsibility

Q: When could 'part' be used to replace 'sever'?

In some situations, the words part and sever are roughly equivalent. However, part implies the separating of things or persons in close union or association. // vowed never to part

Q: When would 'separate' be a good substitute for 'sever'?

The words separate and sever are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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

Q: When can 'sunder' be used instead of 'sever'?

While in some cases nearly identical to sever , sunder suggests violent rending or wrenching apart. // a city sundered by racial conflict

sever

verb

ˈse-vər

Definition of sever

as in to separate

to set or force apart disapproving parents who were willing to do anything to sever the young lovers

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How is the word sever distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of sever are divide, divorce, part, separate, and sunder. While all these words mean "to become or cause to become disunited or disjointed," sever implies violence especially in the removal of a part or member.

a severed limb

When might divide be a better fit than sever?

The synonyms divide and sever are sometimes interchangeable, but divide implies separating into pieces or sections by cutting or breaking.

civil war divided the nation

When is it sensible to use divorce instead of sever?

The meanings of divorce and sever largely overlap; however, divorce implies separating two things that commonly interact and belong together.

cannot divorce scientific research from moral responsibility

When could part be used to replace sever?

In some situations, the words part and sever are roughly equivalent. However, 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 sever?

The words separate and sever are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 can sunder be used instead of sever?

While in some cases nearly identical to sever, 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 sever About that time, Kentucky’s Medicaid insurers began to raise questions about excessive billing and started to sever contracts with the company. — Alex Acquisto, ProPublica, 30 July 2026 Its rival Fitch has been at the center of a high-profile row with the African Export-Import Bank this year over a ratings downgrade, leading both parties to sever ties with each other. — Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 29 July 2026 The film follows Xiaowei, a young man from Chaoshan who travels secretly to Thailand to find the grandfather who severed contact with the family decades earlier. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 28 July 2026 Ralston faced the extraordinary choice to perish in the canyon or sever his arm to free himself. — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 28 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for sever

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sever

Verb

Carroll built his home in 2009 directly behind the park, separated only by a fence.

— Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 1 Aug. 2026
Bunion Bootie is an ultra-thin, soft fabric big-toe alignment sleeve that fits comfortably inside your shoes, with a lightweight, breathable, second-skin design that separates the big toe from the second.

— ABC News, ABC News, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of separate

Verb

Embraced by a number of celebrities since its debut, the silhouette might present a bit of an optical illusion upon first glance, appearing as if two sides of the pump are disconnected in the front.

— Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 31 July 2026
In her experience, disengagement is usually the result of people feeling unheard, undervalued or disconnected from the purpose behind their work.

— Barnaby Lashbrooke, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026

Definition of disconnect

Verb

The release came as calls are growing from other countries, including Myanmar's fellow members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, for access to or engagement with Suu Kyi as part of efforts to resolve the country's political crisis.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026
In the meantime, Democrats have seemingly resolved at least one 2028 fight, a fracas marked by snarking, backbiting and plenty of acrimony — all the things that make our politics such a grand and glorious endeavor.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of resolve

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“Sever.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sever. Accessed 7 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of sever

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