# riven

/ˈɹɪvən/ (US) · /ɹˈɪvən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/riven
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. divided by conflict

adjective · CEFR C1 · Literary · Formal

split or divided by strong disagreement or fighting.

For teachers: deeply divided by internal conflict, disagreement, or factionalism.

- The country was riven by a long and painful civil war.
- The political party remained riven by internal disputes, making it impossible for the leadership to present a unified front during the election.

Usage: Often used with the preposition 'by' to indicate the cause of the division.

Teaching tip: This is a high-level word mostly found in journalism and literature; students should use 'divided' in everyday conversation.

### 2. physically split

adjective · CEFR C2 · Literary

torn apart or broken into pieces by force.

For teachers: physically split or rent asunder, often implying a violent or forceful separation.

- The old tree was riven in two by a massive bolt of lightning.
- The landscape was riven by deep canyons, carved over millennia by the relentless force of the river.

Teaching tip: In modern English, this physical sense is much rarer than the figurative sense of social or political division.

## Examples

- The country is riven by political disagreements.
- The once-unified community became riven by the new housing project, leading to years of public protest.
- The empire was riven by internal corruption and external pressures, making it impossible for the central government to maintain control over its distant provinces.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.