asunder

American  

[uh-suhn-der] / əˈsʌn dər /

adverb

1. into separate parts; in or into pieces.

   Lightning split the old oak tree asunder.

2. apart or widely separated.

   as wide asunder as the polar regions.

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asunder British  

/ əˈsʌndə /

adverb

1. (postpositive) in or into parts or pieces; apart

   to tear asunder

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Etymology

Origin of asunder

First recorded before 1000; Middle English; Old English on sundrum “apart”; a- ¹, sundry

Example Sentences

Born in Toronto in 1950, Candy had his world torn asunder at age 4 when his father died.

From The Wall Street Journal

Why would they surrender such a deep and meaningful relationship for some short-term tactical gain, or allow a disagreement over personalities or policy to set things asunder?

From Los Angeles Times

“But one thing I won’t give into is delay. Delay is denial for people: lives, traditions, places torn apart, torn asunder.”

From Los Angeles Times

But as history well knows, all of their lives would be torn asunder by Lennon’s assassination.

From Salon

“Arthur, in his eighties, was surrounded by admirers, yet alone. His refinery loomed in the background … but his family was torn asunder,” Poitras wrote.

From Seattle Times