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 their families' disapproval. [sundered: past participle]
sever
Example
The chef used a sharp knife to sever the chicken breast. [sever: verb]
Example
The company decided to sever ties with its unreliable supplier. [sever: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Sever is more commonly used than sunder in modern English and is more versatile in its application.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between sunder and sever?
Both sunder and sever are formal words, but sever is more commonly used in everyday language and is therefore more versatile in terms of formality level.
