rupture

American  

[ruhp-cher] / ˈrʌp tʃər /

noun

1. the act of breaking or bursting.

   The flood led to the rupture of the dam.

2. the state of being broken or burst.

   a rupture in the earth's surface.

   Synonyms:

   burst, split, break, fracture

   Antonyms:

   union, seam

3. a breach of harmonious, friendly, or peaceful relations.

4. Pathology. hernia, especially abdominal hernia.

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verb (used with object)

ruptured, rupturing

1. to break or burst.

   He ruptured a blood vessel.

   Synonyms:

   disrupt, split, fracture

   Antonyms:

   unite

2. to cause a breach of.

   to rupture friendly relations.

3. Pathology. to affect with hernia.

verb (used without object)

ruptured, rupturing

1. to suffer a break or rupture.

rupture British  

/ ˈrʌptʃə /

noun

1. the act of breaking or bursting or the state of being broken or burst

2. a breach of peaceful or friendly relations

3. pathol

   1. the breaking or tearing of a bodily structure or part

   2. another word for hernia

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verb

1. to break or burst or cause to break or burst

2. to affect or be affected with a rupture or hernia

3. to undergo or cause to undergo a breach in relations or friendship

Other Word Forms

• nonrupturable adjective
• nonrupture noun
• rupturable adjective
• unrupturable adjective
• unruptured adjective

Etymology

Origin of rupture

1475–85; < Latin ruptūra (noun), equivalent to rupt ( us ) (past participle of rumpere to break) + -ūra -ure

Example Sentences

The Mayas’ sense of time was cyclical; social and demographic ruptures were the standard rather than the exception.

From The Wall Street Journal

But, between those headline moments, injuries disrupted the start of her senior career, including a ruptured quadriceps in 2022 - while attempting to manage an often frictional relationship between her sporting ambition and studies.

From BBC

One of the myths Okrent tackles involves Sondheim’s supposed rupture with Judy’s husband, whose vision had helped fuel shows such as “Company,” “Follies” and “A Little Night Music.”

From Los Angeles Times

Sable has faced particular backlash over its efforts to restart a pipeline that ruptured in 2015, causing one of the biggest oil spills in state history.

From Los Angeles Times

The difference from past ruptures is that Americans have collectively plowed more of their wealth into markets than ever before, meaning any extended downturn could hit consumer spending that powers the U.S. economy.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• burst
• disrupt
• erupt
• fracture
• puncture
• sever
• shatter
• sunder
• tear