rifted

Rifted is the past tense and past participle of the verb rift. It generally refers to something that has been split, divided, or separated along a line or through a process of tension. The term can describe physical processes as well as social or abstract separations.

In geology, rifting is the stretch and pull-apart of the Earth's crust. A rifted landscape or crust has undergone tectonic extension, producing features such as rift valleys, fault systems, and elongated basins. The word appears in descriptions of continental margins and volcanic activity associated with rifts, such as the East African Rift System.

In social or figurative usage, rifted describes relationships or groups that have become estranged, fractured, or divided. For example, two communities may become rifted after a dispute, or a relationship may be described as rifted if ties have weakened over time.

Usage notes: Rifted is more common in technical or formal contexts, including geology and archaeology; in everyday language, more common alternatives include split, divided, estranged, or damaged. The term is sometimes used adjectivally to modify landscapes, crust, or communities, but is less common when describing personal feelings.

See also: rift, rifting, rift valley, fault.