1
as in to disband
to cease to exist or cause to cease to exist as a group or organization
the band broke up when their arguments over money grew too stressful
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2
as in to stop
to come to an end
the meeting broke up when all the business for the day had been completed
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3
as in to divide
to set or force apart
he broke up the rocks in the old stone wall with a crowbar, sending them tumbling to the ground
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4
as in to crack
to yield to mental or emotional stress
the sort of person who would be among the first to break up in a prisoner of war camp
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5
as in to cease
to bring (as an action or operation) to an immediate end
police arrived at the scene and immediately broke up the fracas
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6
as in to disrupt
to cause to separate into pieces usually suddenly or forcibly
break up the feta cheese and spread it over the salad
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7
as in to laugh
to show mirth with an explosive vocal sound
if you break up during the skit, the audience will know that you're in on the joke
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as in split
the act or process of a whole separating into two or more parts or pieces
the breakup of the Soviet Union and the collapse of communism pretty much signaled the end of the Cold War
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of break up
Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 24 Apr. 2025
For example, doing a Roth Conversion of 100% of a large IRA would likely mean overpaying the taxes versus breaking up your conversion over a few years.
—David Rae, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Apr. 2025
Instead of viewing challenges or breakups as fate’s judgment, recognize them as opportunities for growth.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for break up
Verb
Though the group broke up and reformed numerous times over the ensuing years, Scherzinger, 46, slowly began racking up stage credits, first as Maureen in a 2010 production of Rent, and then as Grizabella in the 2014 West End revival of Cats.
—Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 24 Apr. 2025
For example, doing a Roth Conversion of 100% of a large IRA would likely mean overpaying the taxes versus breaking up your conversion over a few years.
—David Rae, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
Noun
Officers were told a man, upset about a breakup, was sitting in a blue Ford Focus with a gun near Via Casa Alta and La Jolla Scenic Drive around 10:45 a.m., San Diego police Lt. David Meyer said.
—Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Apr. 2025
Instead of viewing challenges or breakups as fate’s judgment, recognize them as opportunities for growth.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for break up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for break up
Verb
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Decades after disbanding, the band still maintains a constant presence across a number of rankings, kept afloat by unwavering fan support and a discography that seems unbeatable.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
18 Apr. 2025
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Hong Kong: Members of the opposition Democratic Party voted to disband, one more casualty of Beijing’s suppression campaign.—
Justin Porter,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Commentary: Is Trump's plan for tariff relief for automakers too late to stop global impact?—
Susan Page,
USA Today,
1 May 2025
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At school the next day, he was treated as an art piece, in which his classmates stopped and stared.—
Akili King,
Essence,
30 Apr. 2025
Verb
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On May 10, Valparaiso University will divide its commencement into two events, with the College of Business and College of Arts and Sciences ceremony starting at 9 a.m. and the ceremony for the College of Engineering and College of Nursing and Health Professions starting at 11 a.m.—
Post-Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
1 May 2025
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If there’s rent or a mortgage, is the cost divided in half or according to square footage?—
Nafeesah Allen,
Better Homes & Gardens,
1 May 2025
Verb
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Her case cracked the door open for other young talent to skip college entirely, but in reality, college soccer is still a key pipeline despite its changing landscape.—
Meg Linehan,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2025
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Short passwords — think six or eight characters — can be cracked in minutes by modern hacking tools.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
26 Apr. 2025
Verb
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That shouldn’t be a surprise because the Packers would rather cease to exist as a franchise than draft an offensive lineman who can’t play at least three.—
Matt Schneidman,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2025
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Without these little guys and their fellow pollinators, our gardens would be devoid of fruit, our flowers would not spread, and many species that rely on them would cease to exist.—
Katie Akin,
Southern Living,
26 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Comments The Four Seasons is an eight-episode Netflix series about middle-aged married couples whose dynamic is disrupted by a divorce in their midst.—
Randall Colburn,
EW.com,
3 May 2025
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The Red Sox appear uncertain if adding another change to his routine would disrupt his rhythm at the plate.—
Jen McCaffrey,
New York Times,
3 May 2025
Verb
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The work of one of her go-to designers, Catherine Walker, this was a look that laughed in the face of minimalism.—
Olivia Allen,
Vogue,
30 Apr. 2025
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One viewer might realize the irony and laugh at a satirical edit; another might fall down the rabbit hole for good.—
Kieran Press-Reynolds,
Pitchfork,
30 Apr. 2025
Noun
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However, Hall only appeared in the premiere episode of the show due to his split from Haack.—
Ashley Hume,
FOXNews.com,
4 May 2025
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Huss stars in The Four Seasons as Terry, Anne's new boyfriend following her split from Nick.—
Randall Colburn,
EW.com,
3 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Break up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/break%20up. Accessed 9 May. 2025.
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