sever

verb

ˈse-vər How to pronounce sever (audio)
Definition of severnext
as in to separate
to set or force apart disapproving parents who were willing to do anything to sever the young lovers

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

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 Then, use a sharp shovel, loppers, or other cutting implements to sever the roots around the tree. —Daniel Scott, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Apr. 2025 DeLonge’s decision to sever any direct communication made the situation even more painful. —Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 7 Apr. 2025 Trump's extension appears to defy a law requiring TikTok's Chinese ties to be severed by January 19. —Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Apr. 2025 The administration’s cost-cutting program, called the Department of Government Efficiency, asked the public health agency to sever roughly 35 percent of its spending on contracts about two weeks ago. —Apoorva Mandavilli, New York Times, 3 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sever
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sever
  1. separate
  2. divide
  3. split
  4. disconnect
  5. resolve
Verb
  • Heading into final rotation, the two championship hopefuls were separated by just 0.075.
    — Henry Chappell, Kansas City Star, 17 Apr. 2025
  • After Wednesday’s win in Chicago, only one road win over the Hawks separates the Heat from making the playoffs for the sixth straight season.
    — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 17 Apr. 2025
Definition of separate
Verb
  • The city is divided along sectarian lines: The south is home mostly to Sunni Muslims, while the northern neighborhoods are mostly Alawite.
    — Christina Goldbaum, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2025
  • Passengers are divided on the appropriateness of removing shoes during flights, citing comfort versus hygiene and safety.
    — Christopher Elliott, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
Definition of divide
Verb
  • Women often lose income, take on the bulk of caregiving, and carry the invisible labor of rebuilding a life, while men complain of the long-tail financial consequences of alimony, support payments, and assets split down the middle.
    — Ruhama Wolle, Glamour, 10 Apr. 2025
  • The workplace is splitting in two: those who know how to collaborate with AI, and those who don't.
    — Benjamin Laker, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of split
Verb
  • People want to disconnect, and the Capella wants to help them in big and small ways.
    — Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 13 Apr. 2025
  • If the acting isn’t capable of conveying the language, then people are going to disconnect.
    — Jeanne Rawdin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Apr. 2025
Definition of disconnect
Verb
  • If the case isn’t resolved by the end of the year, the statute of limitations expires.
    — Robert Frank, CNBC, 17 Apr. 2025
  • However, Gomez will remain in detention in New Mexico until ICE chooses to release him or until his case is resolved in court—a process that could take months.
    — Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2025
Definition of resolve

Browse Nearby Words

seventh heaven
sever
several
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sever.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sever. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.

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