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
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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
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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
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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
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Recent Examples of breaking up
Starting an office romance has its perks, but breaking up brings a steep price.
—
Emily Nix, Fortune, 9 Nov. 2025
Keionte Scott played all 73 snaps at nickel corner, giving up catches on three of five targets for 28 yards while also breaking up a pass, recording eight tackles, two tackles for loss, a sack and a quarterback hurry.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 3 Nov. 2025
Over time, Moore became suspicious of Wuornos, eventually breaking up with her and moving back to Ohio.
—Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Oct. 2025
Last year, a mysterious fireball was spotted breaking up in the sky over southern Russia.
—Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025
They got engaged for the first time in November of 2022, before breaking up in January 2004.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 26 Oct. 2025
However, when Morgan runs into an obstacle in breaking up with him, a moody Joanne tells him to just marry him anyway.
—Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 24 Oct. 2025
Partially cover the pot and gently simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally and breaking up the tomatoes with a wooden spoon.
—Lynda Balslev, Mercury News, 24 Oct. 2025
Horn and Jackson traded highlights, with Horn collecting two acrobatics interceptions off Taylor, and Jackson breaking up a pair of crucial passes.
—Charlotte Observer, 20 Oct. 2025
Emily Nix, Fortune, 9 Nov. 2025
Keionte Scott played all 73 snaps at nickel corner, giving up catches on three of five targets for 28 yards while also breaking up a pass, recording eight tackles, two tackles for loss, a sack and a quarterback hurry.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 3 Nov. 2025
Over time, Moore became suspicious of Wuornos, eventually breaking up with her and moving back to Ohio.
—Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Oct. 2025
Last year, a mysterious fireball was spotted breaking up in the sky over southern Russia.
—Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025
They got engaged for the first time in November of 2022, before breaking up in January 2004.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 26 Oct. 2025
However, when Morgan runs into an obstacle in breaking up with him, a moody Joanne tells him to just marry him anyway.
—Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 24 Oct. 2025
Partially cover the pot and gently simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally and breaking up the tomatoes with a wooden spoon.
—Lynda Balslev, Mercury News, 24 Oct. 2025
Horn and Jackson traded highlights, with Horn collecting two acrobatics interceptions off Taylor, and Jackson breaking up a pair of crucial passes.
—Charlotte Observer, 20 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for breaking up
Verb
-
Michael Schill, then president of Northwestern, was berated by congressional Republicans for brokering a compromise with pro-Palestinian protesters last year, disbanding their tent cities while preserving free speech.—
James Druckman,
Mercury News,
17 Oct. 2025
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From there, Hansen and his bandmates determined the best course of action, and discussions even arose about disbanding the group, which had formed in 1976.—
Mark Gray,
PEOPLE,
6 Oct. 2025
Verb
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After losing star tight end Tucker Kraft , who led the team with 489 yards receiving and six touchdowns, to a season-ending ACL injury, Green Bay was on the hunt to find a suitable replacement.—
Michael Gallagher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Alexander suffered a season-ending torn PCL in his right knee in 2024.—
Brooks Kubena,
New York Times,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The singer's annual holiday clip is dividing fans this year.—
Allison DeGrushe,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Similar efforts have emerged in Missouri, where the state legislature passed a new map dividing Kansas City among three congressional districts.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Federal judge Julia Kobick in Massachusetts issued a preliminary injunction stopping the Administration from enforcing the policy against Orr and six other individual plaintiffs in April.—
Chad de Guzman,
Time,
7 Nov. 2025
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Now, a passenger aircraft that can complete make the journey without stopping is in the final stages of construction, Qantas announced on Friday, releasing first images of the plane as it is assembled.—
Issy Ronald,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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In addition to disrupting the students’ routines, parents said the school closure forced them to scramble to make child care arrangements.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 Nov. 2025
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And the light from screens can affect your circadian rhythm, disrupting your sleep.—
Andee Tagle,
NPR,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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After the announcement, Musk celebrated the vote on a stage at the shareholder meeting, dancing and laughing alongside a pair of robots.—
David Ingram,
NBC news,
6 Nov. 2025
-
The longtime fitness buff showed up to their home in Colorado looking overweight, rarely smiling or laughing, and was withdrawn.—
Allison Gordon,
CNN Money,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The scientists started by dissolving powdered rock samples in acid.—
Pranjal Malewar,
New Atlas,
3 Nov. 2025
-
The idea of dissolving the self in an acid bath of erotic imagery was not, in the end, so unappealing.—
Daniel Kolitz,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Republicans have also proposed reopening the government through at least January, advancing three full-year spending bills covering veterans’ programs, agriculture and the legislative branch, and guarantee a future vote on the expiring health subsidies.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
6 Nov. 2025
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What happens to water supplies depends on negotiations among the seven Colorado River states and 30 tribes, who are trying to finish a new drought-management plan to replace an expiring plan.—
Austin Corona,
AZCentral.com,
6 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Breaking up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/breaking%20up. Accessed 11 Nov. 2025.
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