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
Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Sep. 2025
Shannon tells us that her daughter, Sophie, was really into a boy who broke up with her, but that meant Sophie made a surprise trip home to see her mom and stops by this very party where the women support her with their own terrible breakup stories.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
Matthew Carey, Deadline, 7 Sep. 2025
Two targets on that last drive, two breakups.
—Joe Nguyen, Denver Post, 7 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for break up
Verb
The Fiskars Ergo Garden Trowel will help you repot and break up soil, and this harvesting basket, also from Fiskars, is perfect for holding onto your last-chance harvests.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Sep. 2025
Shannon tells us that her daughter, Sophie, was really into a boy who broke up with her, but that meant Sophie made a surprise trip home to see her mom and stops by this very party where the women support her with their own terrible breakup stories.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
Noun
Short, after his breakup with Radner, dating and then marrying Nancy Dolman.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 7 Sep. 2025
Two targets on that last drive, two breakups.
—Joe Nguyen, Denver Post, 7 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for break up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for break up
Verb
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Davies, who also played keyboards and harmonica, carried the band forward after Hodgson's departure in 1983 but disbanded the group by the end of the decade.—
Taijuan Moorman,
USA Today,
8 Sep. 2025
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The group released eight studio albums together, but in 1980, following Bonham’s death, Led Zeppelin disbanded.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Fall weather isn't stopping the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) as its crews are set to begin a number of construction work across the state.—
Jalen Williams,
Freep.com,
7 Sep. 2025
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Good Fortune follows Reeves as an angel, Gabriel, tasked by his boss, Martha (Sandra Oh), with stopping humans from dying while texting and driving.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
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While Towanda plans the wedding of her dreams, the family is rocked by medical emergencies, explosive emotional confrontations, and the fallout from a public scandal that threatens to divide them for good.—
Charna Flam,
People.com,
10 Sep. 2025
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The conflict between Israel and Palestine was dividing friends, sparking tensions, and fueling rising acts of hostility.—
Rchin Bari,
Boston Herald,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Even some of the most successful K-pop artists in America have yet to crack one of Billboard’s radio lists, or to land a major win.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
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Thanks to the flaw, the hackers were able to crack the credentials and gain administrative privileges to accounts on Ascension’s Microsoft Active Directory server, which can be harnessed to manage user accounts and applications over a company’s network.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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At the end of 2024, SHR ceased operations, paving the way for the rise of the Haas Factory Team.—
Saajan Jogia,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Sep. 2025
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In turn, matchups between strong Group of 5 teams and hefty pocketbooks will cease to exist.—
Noah White,
Miami Herald,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
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At the same time, concern is growing about how certain food additives and preservatives may disrupt the gut’s delicate balance.—
Abby Norman,
Verywell Health,
9 Sep. 2025
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Anders is disrupting financial services.—
Dev Patnaik,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Was he supposed to laugh at him and call him a loser?—
Michael Gallagher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Sep. 2025
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The driver filmed the incident and laughed as an officer chased after him, court documents say.—
Real-Time News team,
Miami Herald,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Using an outstanding split-finger changeup in a four-pitch mix, the right-hander has certainly worked his way into the New York Mets’ future pitching plans.—
Chuck Murr,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
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Managing a post-civil war Syria In Syria, years of civil war that had exacerbated splits among ethnic and religious groups finally ended in December 2024.—
David Mednicoff,
The Conversation,
9 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Break up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/break%20up. Accessed 13 Sep. 2025.
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