rupture

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   A break or tear in something, such as a body part, pipe, or relationship, often happening suddenly.

   Grammar: Countable: a rupture, the rupture, ruptures.

   Patterns

   • rupture of something
   • rupture in something
   • cause a rupture

   He suffered a rupture of the Achilles tendon during the match.

   The rupture in the pipe caused a flood in the basement.

   The argument led to a rupture in their friendship.

2. 2verbtransitive or intransitive

   To break apart or burst suddenly.

   Grammar: Can take an object (rupture a tendon) or be used without one (the pipe ruptured).

   Patterns

   • rupture something
   • something ruptures
   • rupture a relationship

   The pressure caused the tank to rupture.

   She ruptured a ligament in her knee while skiing.

   The scandal ruptured the alliance between the two parties.

Word forms

Common combinations

rupture a tendon

The athlete ruptured a tendon in his ankle.

cause a rupture

The earthquake caused a rupture in the gas line.

a rupture in relations

The incident led to a rupture in relations between the two countries.

rupture the peace

The attack ruptured the fragile peace in the region.

Synonyms and how they differ

break

Break is the general word for something separating into pieces; rupture is more specific and often suggests a sudden burst or tear.

tear

Tear means to pull apart or make a hole by force; rupture often implies internal pressure or a medical injury.

burst

Burst means to break open suddenly from inside, like a balloon; rupture can also describe relationships or body parts.

Opposites

Word family

ruptured adjective

Having a break or tear, as in a ruptured appendix.

Commonly confused: rupture or rapture? rupture or eruption?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “rupture”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

Explore more words