sunder

USAGE SUMMARY

"sunder" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe the act of splitting or dividing something. Example: "The storm threatened to sunder the old tree in half." Alternative expressions include "split," "divide," and "separate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

And the government really does face the threat of several armed groups who are determined to violently sunder Ethiopia.

The Economist

It was worse that this mismatch had been occasioned by a sudden switch from a nearby community centre, after reports that nationalist hoodlums campaigning to sunder the union at Scotland's independence referendum in September—were planning to disrupt it.

The Economist

Americans dissatisfied with their government do of course have the right to emigrate, but they do not have the right to sunder the union in a fit of pique.Second, there are far more loyalists than secessionists.

The Economist

Meanwhile, schism had begun to sunder the ranks, yet without shaking the confidence of the Disciples in their plea for union.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The productions of First Sister's busy theatre troupe allow Irving to match-make and further sunder the generations and genders.

The New Yorker

They had lavish living quarters and… Lardner, son of the sainted Ring, was a twenty-nine-year-old boxing writer and Newsweek columnist when, in 1943, he went to Australia, New Guinea, and Papua… In this impassioned and erudite critique of historical thinking, Cannadine addresses the impulse to "sunder all the peoples of the world into belligerent collectivities".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

Referee Lee Probert showed a straight red for Sessègnon's challenge on Yacouba Sylla as Sunder-land lost 6-1.

Independent

Sunder Katwala, the director of British Future, another think-tank, reckons that the government should do more to create a more civic English identity.

The Economist

Sunder Katwala, the director of the British Future think tank, said: "If Ukip wants be mainstream and not consigned to the margins, it has to get away from the politics of 'Enoch was right'.

Independent

Sunder Katwala, the thinktank's director, said: "The EU referendum will give Britons one of the most important choices in a generation.

Independent

Sunder Katwala, the director of British Future, told me: "Immigration might look like the toughest issue in British politics.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sunder" when you want to convey a sense of forceful separation or division, particularly in formal or literary contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "sunder" in casual conversation or informal writing. Simpler words like "separate" or "divide" are often more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "sunder" is a transitive verb, meaning it requires a direct object. It signifies the action of forcibly splitting or separating something. Ludwig examples show its usage in formal contexts, indicating a considered choice of vocabulary to highlight the severity of a division.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sunder" is a verb that means to forcefully separate or divide. Ludwig's analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and indicates that it is most frequently found in news and media contexts. It's a formal term, so it should be used carefully, avoiding informal situations where simpler alternatives like "split" or "divide" would be more appropriate. While "sunder" is correctly used, it's crucial to consider the audience and context to ensure the most effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sever

Implies a more forceful and complete cutting off or separation.

split

A common term for dividing into two or more parts, often less formal.

divide

A general term for separating into parts, applicable in many contexts.

separate

Indicates a distinction or detachment between things.

cleave

Can mean both to split apart and to cling together, creating potential ambiguity.

rupture

Suggests a sudden break or breach, often implying damage.

rend

Implies tearing apart violently, often with emotional connotations.

detach

Focuses on removing something from something else.

disunite

Emphasizes the loss of unity or cohesion.

dissect

Involves a careful and detailed cutting apart, often for analysis.

FAQs

How to use "sunder" in a sentence?

"Sunder" is typically used to describe a forceful separation or division. For example, "The conflict threatened to sunder the nation in two."

What can I say instead of "sunder"?

You can use alternatives like "split", "divide", or "separate" depending on the context.

Is "sunder" formal or informal?

"Sunder" is generally considered a formal word, often found in literature or formal writing. Simpler alternatives are more common in everyday speech.

Which is correct, "sunder" or "splinter"?

"Sunder" implies a broad division or separation, while "splinter" refers to breaking into small, sharp fragments. The correct word depends on the specific meaning you intend to convey. For example, glass may "splinter", while a nation might "sunder" due to internal conflict.