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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 11 Apr. 2026
Local media reported there were rumors that police in Milot used too much tear gas to break up a fight near the Citadelle, and that’s what caused the panic and subsequent stampede.
—ABC News, 11 Apr. 2026
Lisa Stardust, PEOPLE, 12 Apr. 2026
Other sources for asteroid activity include breakup when an asteroid spins too fast, tidal forces ripping apart asteroids during close encounters with a planet, or gas release.
—Patrick M. Shober, The Conversation, 10 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for break up
Verb
The crowd laughed, and the Parenthood actor noted that people intervened and broke up the fight.
—Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 11 Apr. 2026
Local media reported there were rumors that police in Milot used too much tear gas to break up a fight near the Citadelle, and that’s what caused the panic and subsequent stampede.
—ABC News, 11 Apr. 2026
Noun
Nate turned his father, Cal, over to the police and a raid followed after Ashtray's untimely death, as well as Fezco's arrest, and the inevitable breakup of Rue and Jules.
—Lisa Stardust, PEOPLE, 12 Apr. 2026
Other sources for asteroid activity include breakup when an asteroid spins too fast, tidal forces ripping apart asteroids during close encounters with a planet, or gas release.
—Patrick M. Shober, The Conversation, 10 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for break up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for break up
Verb
-
The Sequence became the first female hip-hop act to sign with Sugar Hill Records and released three albums before disbanding in 1985.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
8 Apr. 2026
-
The group disbanded after Takeoff was shot and killed in November 2022 following an argument that broke out during a private party at a bowling alley in Houston, police said at the time.—
Diego Mendoza,
CNN Money,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
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On the whole, the findings suggest that the rise of AI tools hasn't stopped people from seeking professional medical care.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Some stepped on their brakes and with the ice on the road, the cars simply wouldn't stop.—
Jesse Sarles,
CBS News,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Kelly said that could be achieved by creating a fund that would be divided up annually between qualifying cities and counties — a similar proposal to one House lawmakers approved in the original version of the protest petition bill.—
Matthew Kelly,
Kansas City Star,
9 Apr. 2026
-
The warehouse has divided the community.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
There are candidates on the bench to still crack the postseason rotation if needed, too.—
Fiifi Frimpong,
New York Daily News,
10 Apr. 2026
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After each meal the Philadelphia native, now in his late 30s, would crack open a fortune cookie, reading the tiny paper with its words of wisdom on one side and a string of lucky numbers on the other.—
CNN.com Wire Service,
Mercury News,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
By 1973, the American public had ceased to care about the fate of South Vietnam.—
Louis Menand,
New Yorker,
13 Apr. 2026
-
His attorney Elias Dabaie sent cease-and-desist letters to two of his accusers, and said the congressman would return to the campaign trail to clear his name after taking time to spend with friends and family.—
Lia Russell,
Sacbee.com,
12 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Western analysts and officials say Ukraine has in recent months recorded battlefield successes against Russia’s bigger army, disrupting a spring offensive started by Russia amid improving weather, as fields dry out and new foliage on tree lines offers more cover.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 Apr. 2026
-
Panthers coach Paul Maurice said Florida didn't want to pay any homage to Quick during the game, so as not to disrupt the goalie's typical routines.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The crowd laughed, and the Parenthood actor noted that people intervened and broke up the fight.—
Lexi Carson,
HollywoodReporter,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Roberts laughed, but the twinkle in his eye was genuine.—
Bill Shaikin,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Such agreements often include incredibly detailed terms with wildly differing splits and sometimes convoluted formulas.—
Teri Sforza,
Oc Register,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Working between the pipes for the Kings for the second straight game, goaltender Anton Forsberg made his presence felt midway through the frame, doing the splits to fend off an attempt with his right foot.—
Josh Gross,
Daily News,
10 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Break up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/break%20up. Accessed 16 Apr. 2026.
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