rift

1 of 2

noun

ˈrift 

1

a

: fissure, crevasse

b

: fault sense 4

2

: a clear space or interval

3

: breach, estrangement

rift

2 of 2

verb

rifted; rifting; rifts

intransitive verb

: to burst open

transitive verb

1

: cleave, divide

hills were rifted by the earthquake

2

: penetrate

Synonyms

Noun

• check
• chink
• cleft
• crack
• cranny
• crevice
• fissure
• split

Examples of rift in a Sentence

Noun

The fight will only widen the rift with his brother.

the rift in the rock

We could see some stars through the rifts in the clouds.

Scientists are studying the Mid-Atlantic Rift.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The agency has also been subject to a raft of headlines this year after a rift broke out to the public between Michael Kassan, who ran the MediaLink division UTA bought for $125 million in 2021, and UTA leadership. —Erik Hayden, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Nov. 2024

Leonard missed the first 27 games of the next season because of a right quadriceps injury leading to an ongoing rift with the Spurs over the rehab treatment. —Janis Carr, The Mercury News, 25 Oct. 2024

Verb

Rami and Shirley can’t agree on what to do with the baby, which begins to rift their relationships. —Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Sep. 2024

However, the supercontinent began to rift and splinter in the late Triassic about 230 million years ago. —Gabe Allen, Discover Magazine, 15 Sep. 2022

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, of Scandinavian origin; akin to Danish & Norwegian rift fissure, Old Norse rīfa to rive — more at rive

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Phrases Containing rift

• heal the rift/breach
• rift valley

Kids Definition

rift

1 of 2 noun

ˈrift 

1

a

: an opening made by splitting or separation : cleft

b

: a normal geological fault

2

: a break in friendly relations : breach

rift

2 of 2 verb

: cleave entry 2, split