Split vs. Tear — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 4, 2024
Split involves dividing something into parts along a natural or predetermined line, while tearing implies forcibly pulling apart, often resulting in jagged edges.
Difference Between Split and Tear
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Splitting typically occurs along a natural or structural line within the material, such as the grain of wood or the seam of fabric, which allows for a cleaner and more controlled separation. On the other hand, tearing does not follow a natural line and often results in irregular, uneven edges because it involves pulling or ripping the material apart.
In terms of intentionality, splitting is usually a deliberate action with a specific purpose, like splitting logs for firewood or dividing a piece of paper along a perforated line. Whereas tearing is often accidental or done out of necessity without the possibility of a tool, leading to unpredictable outcomes.
The tools used for each action also differ; splitting can be achieved with sharp instruments like knives, axes, or chisels that create neat divisions. Conversely, tearing typically involves no tools, relying instead on manual force which can stretch and damage the material.
The materials susceptible to each action vary as well. Splitting is commonly associated with more rigid, brittle materials that have a clear separation path, such as wood or dry clay. On the other hand, tearing frequently affects flexible materials like paper, cloth, or plastic, which can withstand bending and pulling to a degree.
The resulting appearance after each process is notably different. Split materials often have smooth, flat surfaces along the split line, reflecting the controlled nature of the action. In contrast, torn materials exhibit jagged, rough edges that are indicative of the forceful separation process.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Dividing along a natural or clean line
Pulling apart, usually resulting in ragged edges
Intentionality
Often deliberate
Often accidental or impulsive
Tools Used
Knives, axes, chisels
Usually none, manual force
Materials Affected
Brittle, rigid materials
Flexible, stretchable materials
Resulting Appearance
Smooth, even surfaces
Jagged, uneven edges
Compare with Definitions
Split
The act of spreading the legs apart along the ground in opposite directions.
The gymnast performed a perfect split.
Tear
The result of tearing, a hole or rip.
There's a tear in your sleeve.
Split
Sharing or dividing resources or responsibilities.
We split the bill after dinner.
Tear
Moving very quickly and abruptly.
She tore out of the driveway.
Split
Dividing something into parts by cutting or breaking along a line.
She split the log with an axe.
Tear
To pull something apart or to pieces with force.
He tore the letter in frustration.
Split
Forming a division in a group or organization.
The committee split on the decision.
Tear
To damage by pulling away from a substrate or surface.
The sticker tore off some paint.
Split
A tear or break along a seam or grain.
There was a split in the seam of his jacket.
Tear
A drop of clear salty liquid from the eye.
A tear rolled down her cheek.
Split
To divide (something) from end to end, into layers, or along the grain
Split the log down the middle.
Tear
To pull apart or into pieces by force; rend.
Split
Divided.
Republicans appear split on the centerpiece of Mr. Obama's economic recovery plan.
Tear
To cause to be pulled apart unintentionally, as by accident
Tore my pants on the barbed wire.
Split
Having the middle group equal to the direct product of the others.
Tear
To lacerate (the skin, for example).
Split
(of coffee) Comprising half decaffeinated and half caffeinated espresso.
Tear
To make (an opening) in something by pulling it apart or by accident
I tore a hole in my stocking.
Split
Divided so as to be done or executed part at one time or price and part at another time or price.
Tear
To separate forcefully; wrench
Tore the pipe from the wall.
Split
Given in sixteenths rather than eighths.
Tear
To divide or disrupt
Was torn between opposing choices.
A country that was torn by strife.
Split
(London stock exchange) Designating ordinary stock that has been divided into preferred ordinary and deferred ordinary.
Tear
To become torn
The fabric does not tear easily.
Split
A crack or longitudinal fissure.
Tear
To move with heedless speed; rush headlong
Tore off down the road.
Tore along the avenue.
Split
A breach or separation, as in a political party; a division.
Tear
To become filled with tears
The strong wind caused my eyes to tear.
Split
A piece that is split off, or made thin, by splitting; a splinter; a fragment.
Tear
The act of tearing.
Split
(leather manufacture) One of the sections of a skin made by dividing it into two or more thicknesses.
Tear
The result of tearing; a rip or rent
The shirt has a small tear.
Split
A maneuver of spreading or sliding the feet apart until the legs are flat on the floor 180 degrees apart, either sideways to the body or with one leg in front and one behind, thus lowering the body completely to the floor in an upright position.
Tear
A great rush; a hurry.
Split
(bodybuilding) A workout routine as seen by its distribution of muscle groups or the extent and manner they are targeted in a microcycle.
Bro split
Tear
(Slang) A carousal; a spree.
Split
A split-finger fastball.
He’s got a nasty split.
Tear
A drop of the clear salty liquid that is secreted by the lachrymal gland of the eye to lubricate the surface between the eyeball and eyelid and to wash away irritants.
Split
(bowling) A result of a first throw that leaves two or more pins standing with one or more pins between them knocked down.
Tear
Tears A profusion of this liquid spilling from the eyes and wetting the cheeks, especially as an expression of emotion.
Split
A split shot or split stroke.
Tear
Tears The act of weeping
Criticism that left me in tears.
Split
A dessert or confection resembling a banana split.
Tear
A drop of a liquid or hardened fluid.
Split
A unit of measure used for champagne or other spirits: 18.75 centiliters or one quarter of a standard 75-centiliter bottle. Commercially comparable to 20 (US) gallon, which is 2 of a fifth.
Tear
(transitive) To rend (a solid material) by holding or restraining in two places and pulling apart, whether intentionally or not; to destroy or separate.
He tore his coat on the nail.
Split
A bottle of wine containing 37.5 centiliters, half the volume of a standard 75-centiliter bottle; a demi.
Tear
(transitive) To injure as if by pulling apart.
He has a torn ligament.
He tore some muscles in a weight-lifting accident.
Split
(athletics) The elapsed time at specific intermediate points in a race.
In the 3000 m race, his 800 m split was 1:45.32
Tear
(transitive) To destroy or reduce abstract unity or coherence, such as social, political or emotional.
He was torn by conflicting emotions.
Split
(video games) The elapsed time at specific intermediate points in a speedrun.
Tear
(transitive) To make (an opening) with force or energy.
A piece of debris tore a tiny straight channel through the satellite.
His boss will tear him a new one when he finds out.
The artillery tore a gap in the line.
Split
(construction) A tear resulting from tensile stresses.
Tear
To remove by tearing.
Tear the coupon out of the newspaper.
Split
(gambling) A division of a stake happening when two cards of the kind on which the stake is laid are dealt in the same turn.
Tear
To demolish
The slums were torn down to make way for the new development.
Split
(music) A recording containing songs by multiple artists.
Tear
(intransitive) To become torn, especially accidentally.
My dress has torn.
Split
To divide fully or partly along a more or less straight line.
He has split his lip.
Tear
(intransitive) To move or act with great speed, energy, or violence.
He went tearing down the hill at 90 miles per hour.
The tornado lingered, tearing through town, leaving nothing upright.
He tore into the backlog of complaints.
Split
To break along the grain fully or partly along a more or less straight line.
Tear
(intransitive) To smash or enter something with great force.
The chain shot tore into the approaching line of infantry.
Split
(transitive) To share; to divide.
We split the money among three people.
Tear
(intransitive) To produce tears.
Her eyes began to tear in the harsh wind.
Split
To leave.
Let's split this scene and see if we can find a real party.
Tear
A hole or break caused by tearing.
A small tear is easy to mend, if it is on the seam.
Split
To separate.
Did you hear Dick and Jane split? They'll probably get a divorce.
Tear
(slang) A rampage.
To go on a tear
Split
(ambitransitive) To (cause to) break up; to throw into discord.
Accusations of bribery split the party just before the election.
Tear
A drop of clear, salty liquid produced from the eyes by crying or irritation.
There were big tears rolling down Lisa's cheeks.
Ryan wiped the tear from the paper he was crying on.
Split
To factor into linear factors.
Tear
Something in the form of a transparent drop of fluid matter; also, a solid, transparent, tear-shaped drop, as of some balsams or resins.
Split
To be broken; to be dashed to pieces.
Tear
(glass manufacture) A partially vitrified bit of clay in glass.
Split
(intransitive) To burst out laughing.
Tear
That which causes or accompanies tears; a lament; a dirge.
Split
To divulge a secret; to betray confidence; to peach.
Tear
A drop of the limpid, saline fluid secreted, normally in small amount, by the lachrymal gland, and diffused between the eye and the eyelids to moisten the parts and facilitate their motion. Ordinarily the secretion passes through the lachrymal duct into the nose, but when it is increased by emotion or other causes, it overflows the lids.
And yet for thee ne wept she never a tear.
Split
For both teams involved in a doubleheader to win one game each and lose another.
Boston split with Philadelphia in a doubleheader, winning the first game 3-1 before losing 2-0 in the nightcap.
Tear
Something in the form of a transparent drop of fluid matter; also, a solid, transparent, tear-shaped drop, as of some balsams or resins.
Let Araby extol her happy coast,Her fragrant flowers, her trees with precious tears.
Split
To vote for candidates of opposite parties.
Tear
That which causes or accompanies tears; a lament; a dirge.
Split
To divide lengthwise; to separate from end to end, esp. by force; to divide in the direction of the grain or layers; to rive; to cleave; as, to split a piece of timber or a board; to split a gem; to split a sheepskin.
Cold winter split the rocks in twain.
Tear
A partially vitrified bit of clay in glass.
Split
To burst; to rupture; to rend; to tear asunder.
A huge vessel of exceeding hard marble split asunder by congealed water.
Tear
The act of tearing, or the state of being torn; a rent; a fissure.
Split
To divide or break up into parts or divisions, as by discord; to separate into parts or parties, as a political party; to disunite.
Tear
To separate by violence; to pull apart by force; to rend; to lacerate; as, to tear cloth; to tear a garment; to tear the skin or flesh.
Tear him to pieces; he's a conspirator.
Split
To divide or separate into components; - often used with up; as, to split up sugar into alcohol and carbonic acid.
Tear
Hence, to divide by violent measures; to disrupt; to rend; as, a party or government torn by factions.
Split
To part asunder; to be rent; to burst; as, vessels split by the freezing of water in them.
Tear
To rend away; to force away; to remove by force; to sunder; as, a child torn from its home.
The hand of fateHath torn thee from me.
Split
To be broken; to be dashed to pieces.
The ship splits on the rock.
Tear
To pull with violence; as, to tear the hair.
Split
To separate into parties or factions.
Tear
To move violently; to agitate.
Split
To burst with laughter.
Each had a gravity would make you split.
Tear
To divide or separate on being pulled; to be rent; as, this cloth tears easily.
Split
To divulge a secret; to betray confidence; to peach.
Tear
To move and act with turbulent violence; to rush with violence; hence, to rage; to rave.
Split
To divide one hand of blackjack into two hands; - a strategy allowed to a player when the first two cards dealt to the player have the same value.
Tear
A drop of the clear salty saline solution secreted by the lacrimal glands;
His story brought tears to her eyes
Split
To leave; to depart (from a place or gathering); as, let's split.
Tear
An opening made forcibly as by pulling apart;
There was a rip in his pants
She had snags in her stockings
Split
A crack, rent, or longitudinal fissure.
Tear
An occasion for excessive eating or drinking;
They went on a bust that lasted three days
Split
A breach or separation, as in a political party; a division.
Tear
The act of tearing;
He took the manuscript in both hands and gave it a mighty tear
Split
A piece that is split off, or made thin, by splitting; a splinter; a fragment.
Tear
Separate or cause to separate abruptly;
The rope snapped
Tear the paper
Split
One of the sections of a skin made by dividing it into two or more thicknesses.
Tear
To separate or be separated by force;
Planks were in danger of being torn from the crossbars
Split
A division of a stake happening when two cards of the kind on which the stake is laid are dealt in the same turn.
Tear
Move quickly and violently;
The car tore down the street
He came charging into my office
Split
Any of the three or four strips into which osiers are commonly cleft for certain kinds of work; - usually in pl.
Tear
Strip of feathers;
Pull a chicken
Pluck the capon
Split
Short for Split shot or split stroke.
Tear
Fill with tears or shed tears;
Her eyes were tearing
Split
The feat of going down to the floor so that the legs extend in a straight line, either with one on each side or with one in front and the other behind.
Split
A small bottle (containing about half a pint) of some drink; - so called as containing half the quantity of the customary smaller commercial size of bottle; also, a drink of half the usual quantity; a half glass.
Split
The substitution of more than one share of a corporation's stock for one share. The market price of the stock usually drops in proportion to the increase in outstanding shares of stock. The split may be in any ratio, as, a two-for-one split; a three-for-two split.
Split
Divided; cleft.
Split
Divided deeply; cleft.
Split
Divided so as to be done or executed part at one time or price and part at another time or price; - said of an order, sale, etc.
Split
Extending the legs at right angles to the trunks (one in front and the other in back)
Split
A bottle containing half the usual amount
Split
A promised or claimed share of loot or money;
He demanded his split before they disbanded
Split
A lengthwise crack in wood;
He inserted the wedge into a split in the log
Split
An opening made forcibly as by pulling apart;
There was a rip in his pants
She had snags in her stockings
Split
An old Croatian city on the Adriatic Sea
Split
A dessert of sliced fruit and ice cream covered with whipped cream and cherries and nuts
Split
(tenpin bowling) a divided formation of pins left standing after the first bowl;
He was winning until he got a split in the tenth frame
Split
An increase in the number of outstanding shares of a corporation without changing the shareholders' equity;
They announced a two-for-one split of the common stock
Split
The act of rending or ripping or splitting something;
He gave the envelope a vigorous rip
Split
Division of a group into opposing factions;
Another schism like that and they will wind up in bankruptcy
Split
Separate into parts or portions;
Divide the cake into three equal parts
The British carved up the Ottoman Empire after World War I
Split
Separate or cut with a tool, such as a sharp instrument;
Cleave the bone
Split
Discontinue an association or relation; go different ways;
The business partners broke over a tax question
The couple separated after 25 years of marriage
My friend and I split up
Split
Go one's own away; move apart;
The friends separated after the party
Split
Break open or apart suddenly;
The bubble burst
Split
Being divided or separated;
Split between love and hate
Split
Having been divided; having the unity destroyed;
Congress...gave the impression of...a confusing sum of disconnected local forces
A league of disunited nations
A fragmented coalition
A split group
Split
Broken or burst apart longitudinally;
After the thunderstorm we found a tree with a split trunk
They tore big juicy chunks from the heart of the split watermelon
Split
Having a long rip or tear;
A split lip
Split
(especially of wood) cut or ripped longitudinally with the grain;
We bought split logs for the fireplace
Common Curiosities
Can both split and tear happen to any material?
Split typically happens to brittle, structured materials, while tearing is common with flexible materials.
What are some examples of splitting in everyday life?
Examples include splitting wood for firewood or dividing a deck of cards.
What are common tools used for splitting?
Common tools include knives, axes, and chisels.
How does the outcome of a tear differ visually from a split?
Tearing results in jagged, uneven edges, while splitting results in smoother, cleaner lines.
How do the forces involved in splitting and tearing differ?
Splitting involves controlled, directional forces, while tearing involves more chaotic, pulling forces.
Is tearing reversible?
Tearing is generally not reversible without visible repair.
What types of materials are prone to tearing?
Materials like paper, cloth, and thin plastics are prone to tearing.
What is the main difference between a split and a tear?
A split is a deliberate or controlled separation along a line, whereas a tear is usually a forceful and often accidental act resulting in ragged edges.
How do the techniques of splitting and tearing impact the usability of the material afterwards?
Splitting often preserves the functionality of both parts, while tearing might damage the material's usability.
What are some preventive measures against tearing?
Using stronger or reinforced materials and avoiding excessive force can help prevent tearing.
Is splitting always deliberate?
While often deliberate, splitting can occur accidentally, such as when a dry material breaks under pressure.
Can tearing be intentional?
Yes, tearing can be intentional, such as when tearing open a package.
Can the same object be both split and torn?
Yes, an object can undergo both actions in different contexts or areas.
How is tearing treated or repaired in materials like fabric?
Tearing in fabric is typically repaired by sewing or patching to cover up or reinforce the tear.
What is an example of an unintentional split?
An unintentional split can occur when brittle materials crack under stress.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
