sunder

American  

[suhn-der] / ˈsʌn dər /

verb (used with object)

1. to separate; part; divide; sever.

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verb (used without object)

1. to become separated; part.

sunder British  

/ ˈsʌndə /

verb

1. to break or cause to break apart or in pieces

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noun

1. into pieces; apart

Other Word Forms

• sunderable adjective
• sunderance noun
• sunderer noun

Etymology

Origin of sunder

First recorded before 900; Middle English sundren, Old English sundrian; cognate with German sondern, Old Norse sundra; sundry

Example Sentences

By the memoir’s end, that tidal wave sunders the relationship among the sisters and destroys the world of their childhood.

From The Wall Street Journal

Democratic consultant Jim Ross and his Republican consultant brother, Tom, say their affection and mutual regard is something no campaign can ever sunder — even in these contentious times.

From Los Angeles Times

The sundered ship fans out like a deck of cards then collapses, smoldering.

From New York Times

They spoke of how their community would be sundered and friendships lost, because their public school is at the center of these bonds.

From Los Angeles Times

But when the university ordered them off campus, their sense of safety was sundered.

From Los Angeles Times