riven
Definition
Adjective:
- Torn apart or split violently: "riven" describes something that has been forcefully divided or separated, often into pieces or factions.
- Deeply affected or disrupted: Used figuratively to mean emotionally or socially torn, as by conflict or grief.
Verb (past participle of "rive"):
- To have been split or cleaved: As the past participle of "rive," it indicates the completed action of tearing or splitting something apart.
Usage Examples
Adjective:
- The riven tree lay across the road after the storm. (The tree was split apart by the wind.)
- The community was riven by political disagreements. (The group was deeply divided by conflicting opinions.)
Verb (past participle):
- The old ship had been riven by the rocks. (The vessel was torn apart by the collision with rocks.)
- Her heart was riven with sorrow after the loss. (Her emotions were painfully torn by grief.)
Advanced Usage
"riven with conflict": to be severely divided by internal or external struggles.
- The nation was riven with conflict after the election. (The country was torn apart by disputes.)
"riven apart": to be forcibly separated.
- The siblings were riven apart by the war. (They were forcefully separated due to the war.)
Variants and Related Words
Rive (verb): to tear or split apart.
- The explosion rived the building in two. (The blast split the structure.)
Riving (adjective): causing a split or tear.
- The riving force of the earthquake destroyed the road. (The splitting power of the quake.)
Synonyms
- Split: divided or broken apart.
- Cleaved: split or cut open (often used in formal or poetic contexts).
- Torn: pulled apart, either physically or emotionally.
Related Idioms
"Riven asunder": completely and violently divided.
- The kingdom was riven asunder by civil war. (The realm was entirely torn apart by internal conflict.)
"A heart riven": a heart deeply wounded or broken.
- He spoke of a heart riven by betrayal. (A heart severely damaged by treachery.)