verb
rive
Rive (verb) means to pull something apart violently.
verb
1
To pull something apart violently.
2
To stab or cut something open with a weapon.
3
To break into separate pieces.
"The company was riven by strikes. Years later, the dispute with the RMT union over driver operation of train doors has still not formally been resolved."
— Angie Doll explains to Paul Clifton, We were absolutely at rock bottom (2021)
"Oil-rich Libya has been riven by political infighting, corruption and external interference since a 2011 uprising that toppled and later led to the death of the longtime ruler Muammar Gaddafi."
— Patrick Wintour, ‘Disastrous beyond comprehension’: 10,000 missing after Libya floods (2023)
4
To split open suddenly, as if exploding.
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Etymology
Came from Middle English riven ("to rive"), of North Germanic origin, from Old Norse rífa ("to rend, tear apart"), from Proto-Germanic *rīfaną ("to tear, scratch"), from Proto-Indo-European *h₁reyp- ("to crumble, tear"). It is cognate with Danish rive ("to tear"), Old Frisian rīva ("to tear"), Old English ārǣfan ("to let loose, unwrap"), Old Norse ript ("breach of contract, rift"), Norwegian Bokmål rive ("to tear"), Swedish riva ("to tear") and Albanian rrip ("belt, rope"). More at rift.
Related words
Rhymes for rive
See all rhymes for rive →Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of rive?
"rive" (verb) means to pull something apart violently.
What is another word for rive?
Other words for "rive" include rip, rend, pull, cleave, split.
What are the different meanings of rive?
"rive" has 3 main meanings: 1. To pull something apart violently; 2. To stab or cut something open with a weapon; 3. To break into separate pieces.
