adverb
asunder
uh-SUHN-duh
Asunder (adverb) means Torn or broken into separate pieces, especially violently. Example: “The old ship was torn asunder by the storm.”
adverb
1
Torn or broken into separate pieces, especially violently.
"The old ship was torn asunder by the storm."
"Their friendship was ripped asunder by the argument."
2
Apart from one another; separated.
"The two families lived asunder for years after the feud."
How to use asunder
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSplit apart, usually dramatically — you almost never hear it outside phrases like "torn asunder."
When to use it
Literary and rather old-fashioned; mostly survives in set phrases and the marriage vow "let no man put asunder."
Common pairings
torn asunder
rent asunder
put asunder
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- asunders
- Past tense
- asundered
- Comparative
- more asunder
- Superlative
- most asunder
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The old ship was torn _____ by the storm.
Etymology
From Old English on sundran ("apart, separately"), related to sunder ("to separate").
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for asunder
See all rhymes for asunder →Frequently asked questions
What does “asunder” mean?
The word “asunder” means torn or broken into separate pieces, especially violently. In plain terms, split apart, usually dramatically — you almost never hear it outside phrases like "torn asunder.".
How do you pronounce “asunder”?
“Asunder” is pronounced uh-SUHN-duh (/əˈsʌndəɹ/ in IPA).
How do you use “asunder” in a sentence?
Here is “asunder” used in a sentence: “The old ship was torn asunder by the storm.”
What is another word for “asunder”?
Words with a similar meaning to “asunder” include apart, half and half, in sunder and piecemeal.
What part of speech is “asunder”?
“Asunder” is an adverb.
Where does the word “asunder” come from?
The word “asunder” comes from Old English. From Old English on sundran ("apart, separately"), related to sunder ("to separate").
How many meanings does “asunder” have?
“Asunder” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: torn or broken into separate pieces, especially violently.
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