What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
sunder
Example
The earthquake sundered the bridge in half. [sunder: verb]
Example
The lovers were sundered by distance and time. [sundered: past participle]
divide
Example
We need to divide the cake into equal portions. [divide: verb]
Example
The issue of race continues to divide the country. [divide: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Divide is more commonly used than sunder in everyday language. Divide is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while sunder is less common and may be more appropriate in literary or historical contexts.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between sunder and divide?
Both sunder and divide can be used in formal or informal contexts, but sunder may have a more poetic or archaic feel that could make it less appropriate for some formal situations.
