riven

[riv-uhn]

verb

1. a past participle of rive.

adjective

1. rent or split apart.

2. split radially, as a log.

Other Word Forms

• unriven adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of riven¹

First recorded in 1275–1325, for the adjective

Example Sentences

Achieving this in a cultural environment as riven as ours would seem to be more difficult, yet none of the humor feels strained.

From Salon

Years after being found dead in a Manhattan prison cell — killed by his own hand, according to authorities — Epstein appears to have done the near-impossible in this deeply riven nation.

From Los Angeles Times

Students often self-segregated, and the school’s academic sheen was riven by racial division.

From Los Angeles Times

Lord Adebowale said he would not call the NHS racist, but instead believed it was riven with inequalities, particularly racial inequalities.

From BBC

After a school year riven by the Palisades fire, which badly damaged their high school, students said they were honored to relocate their graduation to the Hollywood Bowl.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• busted 
• collapsed www.thesaurus.com
• cracked 
• crumbled www.thesaurus.com
• crushed www.thesaurus.com
• damaged www.thesaurus.com
• defective 
• demolished www.thesaurus.com
• destroyed www.thesaurus.com
• fractured www.thesaurus.com
• fragmented 
• injured www.thesaurus.com
• mangled www.thesaurus.com
• mutilated www.thesaurus.com
• ruptured www.thesaurus.com
• severed 
• shattered 
• smashed 
• splintered www.thesaurus.com