If something tears or is torn asunder, it is violently separated into two or more parts or pieces. be torn/split/rent etc asunder to be torn violently apart or destroyed
[ &-'s&n-d&r ] (adverb or adjective.) 14th century. Originally two words; from Old English on (“a (preposition)”) sundran (“separate position”). Cognate with Danish sønder, Swedish sönder, Dutch zonder, Icelandic sundur and Norwegian sunder/sønder, from Old Norse í sundr, akin to Gothic