1. splitting or tearing apart forcefully
Usage: present participle of ‘rive’; literary or archaic

Examples

• The lightning was riving the ancient oak tree.
• The earthquake was riving the ground beneath their feet.
• He watched the axe riving the log in two.
• The storm was riving the ship’s sails.
• The force of the explosion was riving the building apart.
• She felt grief riving her heart.