rift
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.a serious disagreement that stops two people or groups from having a friendly relationship.
n.a serious breach in relations between individuals, groups, or nations, often resulting from a fundamental disagreement.
Simple“The argument over money caused a deep rift between the two brothers.”
In context“The decision to increase membership fees created a significant rift within the party, leading several prominent members to resign in protest.”
UsageOften used with the prepositions 'between' or 'within'.
Antonyms - 02 C1 Advanced
n.a deep crack or opening in the ground or in a rock.
n.a fissure, crack, or chasm in a rock formation or the earth's crust.
Simple“The earthquake left a massive rift across the main highway.”
In context“Geologists monitored the widening rift in the valley, concerned that the tectonic activity might signal an imminent volcanic event.”
- 03 C2 Proficiency
n.a small opening in clouds or mist that lets light shine through.
n.an opening in a mass of clouds, fog, or mist through which light or sky is visible.
Simple“A sudden rift in the clouds allowed a single beam of sunlight to hit the valley.”
In context“Through a narrow rift in the heavy morning mist, the sailors caught their first fleeting glimpse of the jagged coastline.”
- 04 C2 Proficiency
v.to burst or split open.
v.to split or cleave; to form a fissure or opening.
Simple“The dry earth began to rift under the heat of the summer sun.”
In context“The ancient stone walls began to rift as the roots of the massive trees pushed through the foundation over many decades.”
“Will Harry's return heal deep-rooted rift with William?”
“She explained that geological activity such as mountain building and continental rifting has disturbed many older rocks, making them more difficult to analyze.”
From Middle English rift, of North Germanic origin; akin to Danish rift, Norwegian Bokmål rift (“breach”), Old Norse rífa (“to tear”). More at rive.
From Old Norse rypta.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.