asunder

[uh-suhn-der] /əˈsʌn dər/
adverb, adjective
1.
into separate parts; in or into pieces:
Lightning split the old oak tree asunder.
2.
apart or widely separated:
as wide asunder as the polar regions.
Origin
before 1000; Middle English; Old English on sundrum apart. See a-1, sundry
Examples from the web for asunder
  • Torn asunder and weakened by civil war and political intrigue, the country was easy prey for outside invaders.
  • Fifty years ago, the largest bomb ever used in warfare tore Hiroshima asunder.
  • The tides of conflict swept the principals asunder.
  • But I also knew that our country was being torn asunder by opposition to the war.
  • We were very much together, I need not say; but occasionally we were asunder for some hours at a time.
  • It was certain that a region and people he had grown to love had been ripped asunder.
  • What civil dissensions have happened thus to tear asunder, and separate.
  • He perches his ample behind atop his throne, and his red trousers are rent asunder with a sharp rip.
  • But all at once, in the nearest bush, a shot went off; and immediately another; and the party flew asunder in terror.
  • Their fastenings were chopped asunder with axes.
British Dictionary definitions for asunder

asunder

/əˈsʌndə/
adverb, adjective
1.
(postpositive) in or into parts or pieces; apart: to tear asunder
Word Origin
Old English on sundran apart; see sunder
Word Origin and History for asunder
adv.

mid-12c., contraction of Old English on sundran (see sunder). Middle English used to know asunder for "distinguish, tell apart."