verb
sunder
SUHND
Sunder (verb) means to split something apart, especially violently or completely. Example: “The war sundered the two nations for a generation.”
verb
1
To split something apart, especially violently or completely.
"In Taran's hand the sundered bone had turned into gray dust, which he cast aside."
— Lloyd Alexander, Taran Wanderer (1967)
"The war sundered the two nations for a generation."
"Their friendship was sundered by years of misunderstanding."
How to use sunder
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo tear or break something apart, often permanently.
When to use it
A literary or formal word — used in poetry, fiction, and legal/historical writing more than everyday speech.
Common pairings
sunder ties
sundered by war
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Word forms
- Plural
- sunders
- Third person singular
- sunders
- Past tense
- sundered
- Comparative
- more sunder
- Superlative
- most sunder
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The war _____ the two nations for a generation.
Etymology
From Old English sundor- ("separate, apart"), from a Proto-Germanic root meaning "isolated" — related to Latin sine ("without").
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for sunder
See all rhymes for sunder →Frequently asked questions
What does “sunder” mean?
The word “sunder” means to split something apart, especially violently or completely. In plain terms, to tear or break something apart, often permanently.
How do you pronounce “sunder”?
“Sunder” is pronounced SUHND (/ˈsʌndɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “sunder” in a sentence?
Here is “sunder” used in a sentence: “The war sundered the two nations for a generation.”
What part of speech is “sunder”?
“Sunder” is a verb.
Where does the word “sunder” come from?
The word “sunder” comes from Latin. From Old English sundor- ("separate, apart"), from a Proto-Germanic root meaning "isolated" — related to Latin sine ("without").
