Divorce — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /də-ˈvȯrs/ (noun) /də-ˌvȯr-ˈsā/ (noun) di·vorce

Meaning & Definition of Divorce

Divorce (noun)

  1. the action or an instance of legally dissolving a marriage
  2. separation, severance
  3. a divorced man

Divorce (verb)

  1. to legally dissolve one's marriage with, to end marriage with (one's spouse) by divorce
  2. to dissolve the marriage contract between
  3. to make or keep separate, separate

Divorce (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in separation, breakup

    similar: bifurcation, breach, breakup, cleavage, dissolution, disunion, division, fractionalization, fractionation, partition, rift, rupture, schism, separation, severance, split, sundering, alienation, disaffection, disgruntlement, estrangement, souring, antagonism, embitterment, envenoming, animosity, antipathy, bitterness, hostility, jaundice, rancor, feud, vendetta, altercation, argle-bargle (chiefly British), argument, argy-bargy (chiefly British), battle royal, bicker, brawl, contretemps, controversy, cross fire, disagreement, dispute, donnybrook, falling-out, fight, hassle, imbroglio, kickup, misunderstanding, quarrel, rhubarb, row, scrap, set-to, spat, squabble, tiff, wrangle, aggravation, furor, fury, incensing, indignation, infuriation, ire, outrage, rage, spleen, wrath, disenchantment, disillusionment
    opposite: endearment, ingratiation, appeasement, conciliation, mollification, pacification, propitiation, reconcilement, reconciliation, accord, agreement, consensus, harmony, unanimity, unification, union, coalescing, fusion, integration, merger, merging

Divorce (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to set or force apart

    "in your head you need to divorce your wishes and fantasies from the realities of the world as it is"

    similar: break up, decouple, disassociate, disconnect, disjoin, disjoint, dissever, dissociate, disunite, divide, 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

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Divorce

The most common words with a similar meaning to Divorce:

Chiefly British: argle-bargle, argy-bargy
bifurcation, breach, breakup, cleavage, dissolution, disunion, division, fractionalization, fractionation, partition, rift, rupture, schism, separation, severance, split, sundering, alienation, disaffection, disgruntlement, estrangement, souring, antagonism, embitterment, envenoming, animosity, antipathy, bitterness, hostility, jaundice, rancor, feud, vendetta, altercation, argument, battle royal, bicker, brawl, contretemps, controversy

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Divorce

Words with the opposite meaning of Divorce:

endearment, ingratiation, appeasement, conciliation, mollification, pacification, propitiation, reconcilement, reconciliation, accord, agreement, consensus, harmony, unanimity, unification, union, coalescing, fusion, integration, merger, merging, join, link, unify, unite

Related Words for Divorce

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

Near Antonyms of Divorce

assemble, associate, blend, combine, mingle, mix, connect, couple, accumulate, agglutinate, attach, bind, cement, close, fasten, fuse, knit, stick, weld

Word Forms of Divorce

Inflections: divorced, divorcing

Derived words: divorcement (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Divorce

Middle English divorse, from Anglo-French, from Latin divortium, from divertere, divortere to divert, to leave one's husband

First known use: 14th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Divorce

Words & Phrases Containing Divorce

sue for divorce

Frequently Asked Questions about Divorce

What does "Divorce" mean?

"Divorce" means the action or an instance of legally dissolving a marriage. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: the action or an instance of legally dissolving a marriage. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Divorce"?

Other words for "Divorce" include bifurcation, breach, breakup, cleavage, dissolution, disunion, division and fractionalization. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Divorce" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Divorce"?

There are 131 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Divorce". Common alternatives include bifurcation, breach, breakup, cleavage, dissolution, disunion, division, fractionalization, fractionation and partition.

What is the opposite of "Divorce"?

Antonyms of "Divorce" include endearment, ingratiation, appeasement, conciliation, mollification, pacification, propitiation and reconcilement. Near antonyms include assemble, associate, blend and combine.

How do you use "Divorce" in a sentence?

Examples of "Divorce" in a sentence: "in your head you need to divorce your wishes and fantasies from the realities of the world as it is".

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

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

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

As a B2-level word, "Divorce" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+.

How do you pronounce "Divorce"?

"Divorce" is pronounced /də-ˈvȯrs/ as a noun and /də-ˌvȯr-ˈsā/ as a noun and divided into syllables as di·vorce.