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
After Destiny’s Child broke up, Beyoncé secretly held onto the Górecki feeling, hoping one day to rend her heart openly, singing the saddest music ever to touch her soul (without breaking it).
—
Rolling Stone, 2 Apr. 2024
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
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
Their willful lack of understanding about what is possible in a divided Washington draws them praise from the absolutists while leaving the pragmatists rending their garments.
—Philip Elliott, TIME, 4 Oct. 2023
See All Example Sentences for rend
Rolling Stone, 2 Apr. 2024
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
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
Their willful lack of understanding about what is possible in a divided Washington draws them praise from the absolutists while leaving the pragmatists rending their garments.
—Philip Elliott, TIME, 4 Oct. 2023
See All Example Sentences for rend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rend
Verb
-
Now the Trump administration wants to negate that argument by asserting that to harm an endangered species means only to injure or kill it directly: to rip it out by the roots or blow it away with a shotgun.—
Emma Marris,
The Atlantic,
25 May 2025
-
The Tangipahoa Jail is about 70 miles away from New Orleans, where 10 inmates escaped by ripping a toilet and sink unit from the wall and climbing through a hole on May 16.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
24 May 2025
Verb
-
If the tag recommends dry cleaning, washing in cold water in the washing machine, or tumble-drying on medium heat in the dryer, follow those instructions to avoid fading, shrinking, tearing, or otherwise compromising your duvet.—
Abigail Wilt,
Southern Living,
31 May 2025
-
Authorities said the inmates pulled open faulty sliding cell doors, tore out a bathroom to create a hole in the jail, and then climbed a wall to escape.—
Jonathan Limehouse,
USA Today,
29 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rend. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share