asunder

adverb or adjective

asun·​der ə-ˈsən-dər How to pronounce asunder (audio)
1
: into parts
torn asunder
2
: apart from each other
… he staggered away, with his legs very wide asunder.Charles Dickens

Did you know?

To get to the root of today’s word, it helps to take it apart and focus on the sunder. You see, asunder comes from the verb sunder, which means "to break apart" or "to become parted, disunited, or severed." Both words come from the Old English word sundor, meaning "apart." The adverbial "into parts" sense of asunder is often used in the phrase "tear asunder," which can be used both literally (as in "fabric torn asunder") and, more often, figuratively (as in "a community torn asunder by the dispute"). The adjectival "apart from each other" sense can be found in the phrase "poles asunder," used to describe two things that are as vastly far apart as the poles of the Earth.

Examples of asunder in a Sentence

the environmental organization was torn asunder by bitter rivalries
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Families completely torn asunder, churches burned down, and this guy wanted to politicize it. Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 10 Jan. 2025 Murdering an infant, she’s imprisoned and allowed to ask forgiveness before her execution, her corpse, like other women in her situation, torn asunder by the morbid masses. Nicholas Bell, SPIN, 25 Dec. 2024 The would-be acquisition of Albertsons, the second-largest U.S. grocery operator, by number one Kroger was knocked asunder by a court. Erik Sherman, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024 On the opening day at Brisbane three years ago, England were skittled for that number in their last visit to hostile old enemy territory, torn asunder by the pace and venom of Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc. Tim Ellis, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for asunder 

Word History

Etymology

see sunder

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of asunder was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“Asunder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/asunder. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

asunder

adverb or adjective
asun·​der ə-ˈsən-dər How to pronounce asunder (audio)
1
: into parts
torn asunder
2
: far apart

More from Merriam-Webster on asunder

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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