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View synonyms for rend

rend

[ rend ]

verb (used with object)

, rent, rend·ing.
  1. to separate into parts with force or violence:

    The storm rent the ship to pieces.

  2. to tear apart, split, or divide:

    racial tension that is rending the nation.

    Synonyms: rupture, fracture, chop, cleave, sever, sunder, rive

  3. to pull or tear violently (often followed by away, off, up, etc.).
  4. to tear (one's garments or hair) in grief, rage, etc.
  5. to disturb (the air) sharply with loud noise.
  6. to harrow or distress (the heart) with painful feelings.


verb (used without object)

, rent, rend·ing.
  1. to split or tear something.
  2. to become torn or split.

rend

/ rɛnd /

verb

  1. to tear with violent force or to be torn in this way; rip
  2. tr to tear or pull (one's clothes, etc), esp as a manifestation of rage or grief
  3. tr (of a noise or cry) to disturb (the air, silence, etc) with a shrill or piercing tone
  4. tr to pain or distress (the heart, conscience, etc)


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Derived Forms

  • ˈrendible, adjective

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Other Words From

  • rendi·ble adjective

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Word History and Origins

Origin of rend1

First recorded before 950; Middle English renden, Old English rendan; cognate with Old Frisian renda

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Word History and Origins

Origin of rend1

Old English rendan ; related to Old Frisian renda

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Synonym Study

See tear 2.

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Example Sentences

Yet many zombies exist in an advanced state of decomposition, and lack the strength to rend and devour for themselves.

C'est ce qui rend les Sauvages vagabons, & fait qu'ilz ne peuvent vivre en vne place.

O that thou wouldst rend the heavens, and wouldst come down: the mountains would melt away at thy presence.

There was no time to have a care for sunken bowlders, reaching up to rend the thin bottom.

He answered that he had not; and therefore the Thing threatened to rend him in pieces, but he got rid of it by calling upon God.

"Positive, Citizen," Barrent said, wondering if Rend had recognized him.

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