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
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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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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
He’s best known for breaking up that colossus, which is spurring speculation that PayPal’s board intends to sell off segments of the firm’s business.
—
Bloomberg, Mercury News, 10 Feb. 2026
After breaking up with Berlingeri, Bad Bunny began dating Jenner, which was his most headline-grabbing relationship yet.
—Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 9 Feb. 2026
Inhaling the steam from and consuming a hot beverage (like water) can help with nasal congestion by breaking up mucus and unclogging the sinuses.
—Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 9 Feb. 2026
His priorities include lowering credit card interest rates, breaking up corporate monopolies, capping prescription drug prices, expanding free school meals, and protecting Social Security and Medicare.
—Todd Feurer, CBS News, 2 Feb. 2026
Cook, stirring often and breaking up meat, until beef is cooked through, about 5 minutes.
—Chris Morocco, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
If that's correct, then not enough time has passed for solar radiation to have cleared out all the dust sprayed into space by the asteroid breaking up.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 27 Jan. 2026
Even if Senate Republicans conceded to breaking up the funding package, the bills would be kicked back to the House of Representatives, which is on a weeklong recess.
—Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 27 Jan. 2026
Both played well in the postseason, too, with Durant intercepting three passes and breaking up seven more and Curl making a big impact in the divisional victory over the Chicago Bears, not least of all with an overtime interception.
—Adam Grosbard, Oc Register, 26 Jan. 2026
Bloomberg, Mercury News, 10 Feb. 2026
After breaking up with Berlingeri, Bad Bunny began dating Jenner, which was his most headline-grabbing relationship yet.
—Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 9 Feb. 2026
Inhaling the steam from and consuming a hot beverage (like water) can help with nasal congestion by breaking up mucus and unclogging the sinuses.
—Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 9 Feb. 2026
His priorities include lowering credit card interest rates, breaking up corporate monopolies, capping prescription drug prices, expanding free school meals, and protecting Social Security and Medicare.
—Todd Feurer, CBS News, 2 Feb. 2026
Cook, stirring often and breaking up meat, until beef is cooked through, about 5 minutes.
—Chris Morocco, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
If that's correct, then not enough time has passed for solar radiation to have cleared out all the dust sprayed into space by the asteroid breaking up.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 27 Jan. 2026
Even if Senate Republicans conceded to breaking up the funding package, the bills would be kicked back to the House of Representatives, which is on a weeklong recess.
—Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 27 Jan. 2026
Both played well in the postseason, too, with Durant intercepting three passes and breaking up seven more and Curl making a big impact in the divisional victory over the Chicago Bears, not least of all with an overtime interception.
—Adam Grosbard, Oc Register, 26 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for breaking up
Verb
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These earlier massacres also made the SDF hesitant about completely disbanding immediately, as Sharaa continues to demand.—
Paul Iddon,
Forbes.com,
20 Jan. 2026
-
The Bruins played in the American Basketball League through the 1930-31 season before disbanding, then were revived for the National Basketball League.—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
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For LeBron James, missing the game meant the Lakers’ All-Star became ineligible for NBA postseason awards, ending his streak of making the All-NBA team at 21 seasons.—
Broderick Turner,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
-
James then missed a 3-point attempt at the other end, ending the back-and-forth bid, and the Thunder closed out the win at the free-throw line.—
Benjamin Royer,
Oc Register,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Taste is a global force, driving migrations, shifting investments, and dividing us into groups and tribes.—
Joshua Rothman,
New Yorker,
6 Feb. 2026
-
That said, finding the answer to how much silver $500 will buy isn't as simple as dividing that amount by today's spot price.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
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In the heavily Latino area of south Oklahoma City, ICE agents have been patrolling in unmarked vehicles and stopping work trucks of roofers, painters and electricians, Brooks Jimenez said.—
Nuria Martinez-Keel,
Oklahoma Voice,
10 Feb. 2026
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Lily did exactly the right thing by stopping and asking first.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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While Andreessen saw software disrupting industries, Morgan Stanley sees AI disrupting labor itself.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
13 Feb. 2026
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Want to know more about how AI is disrupting Hollywood?—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Even in ordinary moments—sharing tea, splitting food, laughing in the snow, dancing at weddings—Minnesota feels alive.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Buck became accustomed to the smells of booze and smoke, of falling asleep to the sound of adults laughing.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Since the 2022 coup, its military leaders have launched sweeping changes, including postponing elections that were expected to restore civilian rule and dissolving the country’s independent electoral commission.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Jan. 2026
-
The 3-2 vote by the Rules Committee followed a more than five-hour, sometimes emotional hearing that drew hundreds of proponents and critics who pleaded their case, with some vacation rental hosts dissolving into tears.—
Lori Weisberg,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Last year’s sweeping tax bill introduced requirements that could kick thousands off of SNAP benefits, while expiring healthcare subsidies are leading to more expensive premiums for health insurance.—
Luis Melecio-Zambrano,
Mercury News,
10 Feb. 2026
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All the expiring contracts in the secondary, though, also afford Sullivan and Hafley an opportunity to bring in their own players at those positions.—
David Furones,
Sun Sentinel,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Breaking up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/breaking%20up. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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