1
as in disbanding
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in ending
to come to an end
the meeting broke up when all the business for the day had been completed
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in dividing
to set or force apart
he broke up the rocks in the old stone wall with a crowbar, sending them tumbling to the ground
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in losing it
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in stopping
to bring (as an action or operation) to an immediate end
police arrived at the scene and immediately broke up the fracas
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in disrupting
to cause to separate into pieces usually suddenly or forcibly
break up the feta cheese and spread it over the salad
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in laughing
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of breaking up
Police arrested 25 people and recovered 52 chickens while breaking up an active cockfight in Delaware County over the weekend.
—
Tom Dougherty, CBS News, 1 June 2026
On a balcony, this looks like breaking up the lineup by alternating hanging planters with those on the ground.
—Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 20 Apr. 2026
The show opens with a couple, Dan (Mike Mitchell) and Dana (Plaza), breaking up and their cat, Kevin (Jason Schwartzman), deciding he’s done with both humans and will find his own way in the world.
—Stuart Miller, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2026
Leading up to rehab, post-hysterectomy and just before officially breaking up with Antonoff, Dunham reconnected with a childhood boyfriend, Nick.
—Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 14 Apr. 2026
Demonstrations took place in several cities across Israel over the weekend, with police breaking up a large gathering in Tel Aviv.
—Npr Staff, NPR, 5 Apr. 2026
Images taken by Reuters show Israeli security forces breaking up the demonstrations in the city’s Habima Square.
—Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 29 Mar. 2026
The room begins to feel fragmented, with too many edges breaking up the sightline.
—Angelika Pokovba, Martha Stewart, 3 Mar. 2026
Meanwhile, in the early 1900s, people feared broadcast radio would wrinkle their skin, dry up the sky, and even cause flooding by breaking up clouds.
—Tim Brinkhof, Big Think, 3 Mar. 2026
Tom Dougherty, CBS News, 1 June 2026
On a balcony, this looks like breaking up the lineup by alternating hanging planters with those on the ground.
—Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 20 Apr. 2026
The show opens with a couple, Dan (Mike Mitchell) and Dana (Plaza), breaking up and their cat, Kevin (Jason Schwartzman), deciding he’s done with both humans and will find his own way in the world.
—Stuart Miller, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2026
Leading up to rehab, post-hysterectomy and just before officially breaking up with Antonoff, Dunham reconnected with a childhood boyfriend, Nick.
—Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 14 Apr. 2026
Demonstrations took place in several cities across Israel over the weekend, with police breaking up a large gathering in Tel Aviv.
—Npr Staff, NPR, 5 Apr. 2026
Images taken by Reuters show Israeli security forces breaking up the demonstrations in the city’s Habima Square.
—Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 29 Mar. 2026
The room begins to feel fragmented, with too many edges breaking up the sightline.
—Angelika Pokovba, Martha Stewart, 3 Mar. 2026
Meanwhile, in the early 1900s, people feared broadcast radio would wrinkle their skin, dry up the sky, and even cause flooding by breaking up clouds.
—Tim Brinkhof, Big Think, 3 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for breaking up
Verb
-
In 2021, more than 43% of voters supported disbanding the department as the city reeled from Floyd’s killing and the massive protests and widespread rioting that followed.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
28 May 2026
-
Facing that, disbanding a unit is a rational response.—
Richard Winton,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
Hong Kong/Hangzhou — Stephen Curry announced a partnership for his signature brand with Li-Ning on Monday, ending his sneaker free agency in a major win for the Chinese sportswear giant.—
John Liu,
CNN Money,
2 June 2026
-
Rasmus Hojlund confirmed last month that Napoli’s qualification for the Champions League triggered a clause which will turn his loan deal permanent, ending a three-year spell as a United player.—
James McNicholas,
New York Times,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
The encounter, captured on video, quickly gained international attention, dividing those who believed the zoo was in the right to kill Harambe for the child's safety, and others who found the act inhumane.—
Greta Cross,
USA Today,
28 May 2026
-
By 1997, Ultimate Fighting began to join more conventional combat sports in dividing fighters into weight classes, for safety’s sake.—
Harmeet Kaur,
CNN Money,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
The latest the series can end is June 17; the shield stopping him from answering questions — not just about his past, but his present and future — is likely to stay in place.—
Sean Gentille,
New York Times,
2 June 2026
-
Texas is split down the middle on which issue should take priority — stopping voter fraud or preventing eligible citizens from being turned away at the ballot box — as a poll shows the split is not a sign of moderation but of deep partisan polarization.—
Mateo Rosiles,
USA Today,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
Lastly, azelaic acid can help reduce redness and breakouts gently, without disrupting the skin’s ecosystem.—
Tatiana Dias,
Vogue,
29 May 2026
-
Jim also reiterated his view that concerns about AI disrupting cybersecurity have proven misguided as digital threats become increasingly sophisticated.—
Alexa LoMonaco,
CNBC,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
Conversation starters → One Hollywood actor's in-flight rant has travelers laughing — and arguing — all over again.—
Staff,
FOXNews.com,
2 June 2026
-
The Eagles posted a video on the night of the trade of Hurts and Brown on a FaceTime call with each other, laughing uncontrollably.—
Saad Yousuf,
New York Times,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
Ursula on the deck in the darkness, the wake phosphorescent green, everything behind her, all of Europe, dissolving.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 June 2026
-
Bleach has no effect in dissolving the common culprits of bathroom drain clogs, like hair, oils, and toothpaste.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
The Spruce,
30 May 2026
Verb
-
The company said the plan could save customers nearly $3 billion by utilizing expiring tax credits.—
Dillon Thomas,
CBS News,
2 June 2026
-
The 26-year-old Brazil international has long been tracked by Old Trafford’s recruitment department and appeals in part because of his contract expiring in 2027, which has brought down Atalanta’s asking price.—
James McNicholas,
New York Times,
2 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Breaking up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/breaking%20up. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
