English vocabulary · C1
Sunder
/ˈsʌn.dər/ · v.
It means to break or tear something apart — especially something once strongly connected. To sunder is to split something with force or great pain.
Watch the Sunder lessonContinue in the learning app for video lessons and review.
Example sentences
- The earthquake sundered the bridge, cutting the town in two.
- Years of conflict sundered the once close relationship.
Word origin and roots
from Old English
- sunder — apart (from Old English)
Synonyms and nuances
- SPLIT — break into two parts (Physical & Sudden)
- SEVER — cut completely away (Clean & Final)
- DIVIDE — separate into parts (General & Broad)
Similar words
- split
- sever
- divide
Lesson notes
Sunder. It means to break or tear something apart — especially something that was once strongly connected. To sunder is to split something with force or with great pain.
Similar words are split, sever, and divide. Use sunder when the break is powerful, final, or emotionally heavy.
The earthquake sundered the bridge, cutting the town in two. Years of conflict sundered the once close relationship.
From Old English. Sunder- means apart. To push something completely apart until it can no longer be joined — that is to sunder.