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
Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 7 July 2025
Cameron had first served as drummer for fellow legendary grunge band Soundgarden from 1986 until the band broke up in 1997 (and from 2010 until 2017 when the band reunited), joining Pearl Jam in 1998.
—Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 7 July 2025
Vivian Kwarm, New York Daily News, 16 July 2025
The two never officially announced their split, but breakup rumors surfaced in May 2023 after Meg was spotted with Belgian soccer player Romelu Lukaku at a wedding.
—Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 14 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for break up
Verb
The rock outfit had a hard time following that effort, and after breaking up for a period, Hootie & the Blowfish eventually reunited, at least for the occasional release.
—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 7 July 2025
Cameron had first served as drummer for fellow legendary grunge band Soundgarden from 1986 until the band broke up in 1997 (and from 2010 until 2017 when the band reunited), joining Pearl Jam in 1998.
—Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 7 July 2025
Noun
Gwyneth and Ben Affleck’s relationship woes Paltrow met Ben Affleck at a dinner event shortly after her breakup with Pitt in 1997.
—Vivian Kwarm, New York Daily News, 16 July 2025
The two never officially announced their split, but breakup rumors surfaced in May 2023 after Meg was spotted with Belgian soccer player Romelu Lukaku at a wedding.
—Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 14 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for break up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for break up
Verb
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When Soundgarden reunited in 2010, Cameron was a member of both groups, though Soundgarden later disbanded after lead singer Chris Cornell died in 2017.—
Rachel DeSantis,
People.com,
7 July 2025
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When the village disbanded the police department, outgoing Police Chief Jacob Tenbrink told The Enquirer then that Addyston might need to be absorbed by Miami Township to survive.—
Sharon Coolidge,
The Enquirer,
3 July 2025
Verb
-
The toddler stopped crying about 15 minutes after she had been put down for a nap.—
Karen Kucher,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 July 2025
-
The black box stopped recording a few seconds later.—
Clara McMichael,
ABC News,
11 July 2025
Verb
-
Know the Signs Cucumbers are typically divided into two main categories: slicing cucumbers and pickling cucumbers.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
12 July 2025
-
Debate at meeting During the board meeting Thursday night, the room was divided between supporters of Mayer, advocates for the students who came forward, and former students who were against Mayer’s employment from being reinstated.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
12 July 2025
Verb
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While in court, he was forced to break open one of the bulbs, leaving one of them cracked.—
Cam'ron Hardy,
Chicago Tribune,
18 July 2025
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In seven Open appearances, he's missed the cut three times and cracked the top 10 only once (T8 at St Andrews in 2022).—
Devlina Sarkar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 July 2025
Verb
-
Parrot Jungle ceased operations in Pinecrest and its birds and staff made the move to Miami with the opening of Jungle Island in 2003.—
Howard Cohen,
Miami Herald,
18 July 2025
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Nissan Stadium's weather policy states that if lightning strikes within eight miles of the stage, the venue must cease the concert and ask show-goers to shelter in place.—
Melonee Hurt,
The Tennessean,
18 July 2025
Verb
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Frequent use can disrupt normal bowel function and lead to laxative dependence or chronic constipation.7 Only use castor oil under medical guidance.—
Lindsay Curtis,
Verywell Health,
11 July 2025
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Underneath the fun exterior, Red Bull was serious about its ambitions of disrupting F1’s front-runners and assembling a team that was capable of winning a championship.—
Luke Smith,
New York Times,
11 July 2025
Verb
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Asked by a reporter this week to describe the journey of her tennis career, Amanda Anisimova paused, then laughed.—
Becky Sullivan,
NPR,
11 July 2025
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The boy, too young to grasp the danger, was playing and laughing; a fleeting moment of innocence, juxtaposed against the backdrop of war.—
Andy Meek,
Forbes.com,
11 July 2025
Noun
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Following their split, the comedian would welcome 10 more kids with five other women.—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
15 July 2025
-
Revealing the pair hadn’t seen each other since the time of their split, Justin pulled Susie for a conversation.—
Liza Esquibias,
People.com,
15 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Break up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/break%20up. Accessed 23 Jul. 2025.
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