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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of break up
Dennis Ross, The Atlantic, 13 Mar. 2026
Neither the Amaury family nor anyone senior at ASO will speak publicly about reform plans, but the perception is that the French company has no interest in moving to a new model that would break up their monopoly.
—Chris Marshall-Bell, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2026
Maira Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2026
The two got engaged in 2019 and welcomed their daughter in 2020, before announcing their breakup in July 2025.
—Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for break up
Verb
Toppling the regime also demands breaking up the forces that suppress Iranians, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and the notorious Basij militia.
—Dennis Ross, The Atlantic, 13 Mar. 2026
Neither the Amaury family nor anyone senior at ASO will speak publicly about reform plans, but the perception is that the French company has no interest in moving to a new model that would break up their monopoly.
—Chris Marshall-Bell, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2026
Noun
Morrison talked about how her daughter was distraught after the breakup, leading to an emotional moment where Morrison ran offstage in tears.
—Maira Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2026
The two got engaged in 2019 and welcomed their daughter in 2020, before announcing their breakup in July 2025.
—Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for break up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for break up
Verb
-
The group disbanded in 2010, but during the hiatus and reunion tour, new fans were posting videos of the band’s music and showing off their Voxtrot tattoo inspirations, which was enough to motivate Srivastava.—
Charlie Vargas,
Daily News,
16 Mar. 2026
-
In 2018, the state required those with fewer than 50% eligible members to either disband or go through a lengthy recertification process that involved getting signatures and holding a formal election.—
Scott Travis,
Sun Sentinel,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Leave the resort to dine at Sunset Mona Lisa, a neighboring cliffside terrace where Mediterranean-leaning plates play second fiddle to the show-stopping tangerine-pink sunsets.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
18 Mar. 2026
-
Pavel Zacha had both goals for Boston, and Jeremy Swayman stopped 28 shots.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
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How iftar dinner helps bridge divides Latif leads the Islamic Center of New York City, where volunteers recently prepared an evening iftar meal of chicken and rice and dates.—
Brian Mann,
NPR,
18 Mar. 2026
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The polling percentage was determined by the most recent Public Policy Institute of California survey, and the fundraising component took the total amount raised divided by the number of days a candidate was in the race.—
Kaitlyn Schallhorn,
Oc Register,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
These images are perplexing, thrilling—visual nuts to crack.—
Naomi Fry,
New Yorker,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Grout's biggest challenge is cracking from improper installation or too much moisture.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Commercial traffic through the maritime chokepoint has virtually ceased since the US and Israel attacked Iran on February 28, with Iran vowing to strike any vessels associated with the two countries or their partners.—
Brad Lendon,
CNN Money,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Classes will cease operating in June at the center.—
Graham Womack,
Sacbee.com,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
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This illumination can temporarily blind the animals, leaving them more vulnerable while disrupting their natural habits.—
Stephanie Vermillion,
Outside,
16 Mar. 2026
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At that point, the parasite disrupts brain regions that regulate circadian rhythm, causing patients to become sleepy during the day and awake at night.—
Fran Kritz,
NPR,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The comedy horror sequel starring Samara Weaving as a bride trapped in a murderous game brought blood, blood and more blood to SXSW, where the crowd squealed and laughed at each grisly killing.—
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
14 Mar. 2026
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Some parents and children laughed, and a pair of parents even high-fived.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
If a gallery sells a new work by a living artist, typically the split is 50/50.—
The Editors,
Robb Report,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Yielding 32 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists to Wembanyama was how the Hornets (34-34) capped off their four-game, eight-day trip west of the Mississippi River, settling for a split.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
14 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Break up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/break%20up. Accessed 19 Mar. 2026.
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