Divide — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb noun /də-ˈvīd/ di·vide

Meaning & Definition of Divide

Divide (verb)

  1. to separate into two or more parts, areas, or groups
  2. to separate into classes, categories, or divisions
  3. cleave, part

Divide (noun)

  1. an act of dividing
  2. a dividing ridge between drainage areas
  3. a point or line of division or disagreement

Divide (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to set or force apart

    "Volunteers divided the donated groceries into several dozen piles."

    similar: break up, decouple, disassociate, disconnect, disjoin, disjoint, dissever, dissociate, disunite, divorce, part, ramify, resolve, separate, sever, split, sunder, uncouple, unlink, unyoke
    related: break down, decompose, disassemble, disintegrate, dissolve, bifurcate, bisect, cleave, dichotomize, dissect, fractionalize, fractionate, halve, partition, quarter, segment, subdivide, trisect, fragment, fragmentate, fragmentize, break, fracture, pull, rend, rift, rip, rive, rupture, tear, cut off, insulate, isolate, seclude, segregate, sequester, detach, disengage, disentangle, unravel, untie
    opposite: join, link, unify, unite
    near: assemble, associate, blend, combine, mingle, mix, connect, couple, accumulate, agglutinate, attach, bind, cement, close, fasten, fuse, knit, stick, weld

  2. to go or move in different directions from a central point

    "The group divided based on those who wanted to go swimming and those who didn't."

    similar: branch (out), diverge, fork, part, separate, spread
    related: bestrew, break up, broadcast, clear out, disband, dispel, disperse, dissipate, distribute, scatter, sow, distance, recede, retreat
    opposite: converge, join
    near: assemble, gather, meet

  3. to cause (people) to break up into opposing groups

    "Opinions about the war divided people who are otherwise likeminded."

    similar: polarize, separate, splinter, split
    related: fracture, fragment, alienate, disaffect, disgruntle, estrange, antagonize, embitter
    near: coalesce, unify, unite, conciliate, harmonize, reconcile, concentrate, consolidate

Divide (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in debate, argument

    similar: altercation, argument, bicker, brawl, debate, disagreement, dispute, fissure, clash, collision, competition, contention, falling-out, fight, hassle, jar, miff, mix-up, quarrel, row, run-in, scrap, spat, squabble, tiff, wrangle, conflict, disaccord, discord, discordance, discordancy, disharmony, dissension, dissent, dissidence, dissonance, disunion, disunity, division, friction, infighting, inharmony, schism, strife, variance, war, warfare, incompatibility, incongruence, incongruity, incongruousness, inconsistence, inconsistency, inconsonance, inharmoniousness, animosity, antagonism, antipathy, cold war, enmity, hostility, ill will, rancor
    opposite: accord, agreement, concord, concordance, harmony, peace, concurrence, cooperation

  2. as in rise, peak

    similar: eminence, peak, prominence, promontory, rise, backbone, ridgepole, spine, crest, ridge

Related Entry: Great divide (noun)

Great divide is a different word from Divide. The synonyms below are for great divide, not for divide.

  1. the permanent stopping of all the vital bodily activities

    "many religions claim to know what happens after we cross the great divide"

    similar: curtains, death, decease, demise, dissolution, doom, end, exit, expiration, expiry, fate, grave, passage, passing, quietus, sleep
    related: casualty, fatality, martyrdom, self-destruction, self-murder, self-slaughter, suicide, annihilation, destruction, ending, extermination, ruin, assassination, execution, killing, massacre, slaughter
    opposite: birth, nativity
    near: existence, life, creation, genesis, origination, rise

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Divide

The most common words with a similar meaning to Divide:

break up, decouple, disassociate, disconnect, disjoin, disjoint, dissever, dissociate, disunite, divorce, part, ramify, resolve, separate, sever, split, sunder, uncouple, unlink, unyoke, branch (out), diverge, fork, spread, polarize, splinter, altercation, argument, bicker, brawl, debate, disagreement, dispute, fissure, clash, collision, competition, contention, falling-out, fight

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Divide

Words with the opposite meaning of Divide:

join, link, unify, unite, converge, accord, agreement, concord, concordance, harmony, peace, concurrence, cooperation

Related Words for Divide

break down, decompose, disassemble, disintegrate, dissolve, bifurcate, bisect, cleave, dichotomize, dissect, fractionalize, fractionate, halve, partition, quarter, segment, subdivide, trisect, fragment, fragmentate, fragmentize, break, fracture, pull, rend, rift, rip, rive, rupture, tear

Near Antonyms of Divide

assemble, associate, blend, combine, mingle, mix, connect, couple, accumulate, agglutinate, attach, bind, cement, close, fasten, fuse, knit, stick, weld, gather, meet, coalesce, conciliate, harmonize, reconcile, concentrate, consolidate

Word Forms of Divide

Inflections: divided, dividing

Derived words: dividable (adjective)

Origin & Etymology of Divide

Middle English, from Latin dividere, from dis- + -videre to separate widow

First known use: 14th centuryt

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Divide

Words & Phrases Containing Divide

divide et impera, divide and conquer, divide evenly, digital divide, great divide

Frequently Asked Questions about Divide

What does "Divide" mean?

"Divide" means to separate into two or more parts, areas, or groups. As an a verb and a noun, it is defined as: to separate into two or more parts, areas, or groups. It has 5 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Divide"?

Other words for "Divide" include break up, decouple, disassociate, disconnect, disjoin, disjoint, dissever and dissociate. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Divide" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Divide"?

There are 159 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Divide". Common alternatives include break up, decouple, disassociate, disconnect, disjoin, disjoint, dissever, dissociate, disunite and divorce.

What is the opposite of "Divide"?

Antonyms of "Divide" include join, link, unify, unite, converge, accord, agreement and concord. Near antonyms include assemble, associate, blend and combine.

How do you use "Divide" in a sentence?

Examples of "Divide" in a sentence: "Volunteers divided the donated groceries into several dozen piles."; "The group divided based on those who wanted to go swimming and those who didn't."; "Opinions about the war divided people who are otherwise likeminded.".

Is "Divide" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Divide" can be used as a verb and a noun, depending on the context.

Is "Divide" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B1-level word, "Divide" is typical of Cambridge B1 Preliminary (PET), IELTS band 4.0–5.0, TOEFL iBT 42–71, PTE Academic 43–58, TOEIC Listening & Reading 550+.

How do you pronounce "Divide"?

"Divide" is pronounced /də-ˈvīd/ and divided into syllables as di·vide.