severing
Cutting completely through
Severing is the act of cutting through or separating something completely.
The word applies to physical cutting—severing a rope, severing a limb—and to ending relationships or connections: severing ties with family, severing diplomatic relations.
The finality implied is stronger than simply cutting; what's severed is meant to stay apart.
Emotional separation between people
- alienationState of being isolated
- schismFormal organizational fracture
- riftCrack or estrangement
- breachBreaking of agreement
breakup · separation · divorce · disownment · excommunication · exile · banishment · disassociation
To break a connection
- unfastenRelease from attachment
- disengageBreak free from attachment
- releaseTo let go
- detachTo separate from
extricate · disentangle · unhook · uncouple · loosen · unplug · separate · unlatch
Cutting into portions
- cuttingDividing via sharp edge
- amputationSurgical limb removal
- cleaveSplit or adhere
- carveCut to shape
dissect · gash · lacerate · slit · snip · bisect · truncate · excise
To pull apart
- fractureSplit in hard material
- fissureNarrow crack in rock
- crackNarrow break or attempt
- splitSeparation into parts
breach · break · burst · rift · gash · cleavage · herniation · breakage
Final portion or cessation
- conclusionEnd or deduction
- cessationA full stopping
- discontinueTo stop doing
- abolishOfficially end a practice
dissolve · terminate · break · halt · cancellation · annulment · revocation · rupture
estrangement
Emotional separation between people
- alienationState of being isolated
- schismFormal organizational fracture
- riftCrack or estrangement
breach · breakup · separation · divorce · disownment · excommunication · exile · banishment · disassociation · cutoff
disconnect
To break a connection
detach · extricate · disentangle · unhook · uncouple · loosen · unplug · separate · unlatch · untether
slicing
Cutting into portions
- cuttingDividing via sharp edge
- amputationSurgical limb removal
- cleaveSplit or adhere
carve · dissect · gash · lacerate · slit · snip · bisect · truncate · excise · guillotine
tear
To pull apart
split · breach · break · burst · rift · gash · cleavage · herniation · breakage · snap
end
Final portion or cessation
- conclusionEnd or deduction
- cessationA full stopping
- discontinueTo stop doing
abolish · dissolve · terminate · break · halt · cancellation · annulment · revocation · rupture · finality
- breaking downsplitting, fragmenting, dividing, breaking up, partitioning
- cuttingslicing, slice, chopping, dice, dicing
- disconnectingdetaching, disconnect, disengaging, detach, disconnecting
- separatingseparating, detaching, disconnecting, dividing, splitting
- root problemsroot rot, fungal infection, nematodes, grubs, beetle larvae
- breakingbreaking, cracking, fracturing, rupturing, shattering
severingjoining
Linking into one
connecting · attaching · linking · uniting · bonding
severingestablishing
Creating or setting up
initiating · forming · forging · building · cultivating
- severing tiesEnding a relationship completely
- disease severity