breaks up

Definition of breaks upnext
present tense third-person singular of break up
1
as in disbands
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

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as in cracks
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

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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 breaks up The new map breaks up the state’s current 9th Congressional District, which is primarily made up of Memphis, and the state’s only majority-Black district. Hannah Demissie, ABC News, 7 May 2026 Sometimes your boyfriend breaks up with you to be with an older divorced mom and that's a good thing. Sean Joseph Outkick, FOXNews.com, 23 Apr. 2026 The Gap Factory Relaxed Linen-blend Wide-leg Pants, now 50 percent off, come in a vibrant hot pink that instantly breaks up a neutral-heavy suitcase and adds a playful pop for spring and summer itineraries. Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 16 Apr. 2026 While Sam begins hallucinating people as puppets, Justin breaks up with him. Olivia Singh, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025 Belly, devastated by the betrayal, slaps Jeremiah and breaks up with him. Alexandra Hurtado, PEOPLE, 17 Sep. 2025 Needless to say, Bobby breaks up with her later. Jake Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for breaks up
Verb
  • And once the dog is found, the Search Party network disbands.
    Mike Feibus, USA Today, 4 Oct. 2025
  • DiCaprio plays Bob, a revolutionary in hiding with his teen daughter (Chase Infiniti) after his activist group the French 75 disbands in chaos.
    Matt Donnelly, Variety, 25 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The city’s easy-to-use tram system has stops just two blocks away.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
  • Four stops along the way offer free refreshments from highlighted local businesses.
    Hema Sivanandam, Mercury News, 1 June 2026
Verb
  • Over four seasons, FX's The Bear has been one of the best TV shows ever to explore how food connects us and divides us, featuring tremendous performances and surprising twists.
    K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 27 May 2026
  • The prospect of more drilling divides some Alaskans.
    Jennifer A. Dlouhy, Fortune, 24 May 2026
Verb
  • Crooks gets to stay in the Big 12 as a senior, and Oklahoma State cracks the top 25.
    Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
  • Later, in response to some minor infraction, Joseph cracks his belt across little Michael’s butt.
    Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 21 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • With a simple pair of black flats and a light sweater draped over her shoulders, her light blue satin slip dress ceases to be reserved for special occasions.
    Michel Mejía, Glamour, 30 May 2026
  • Once delivery becomes observable, the human response layer ceases to be a black box.
    Judit Sharon, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
Verb
  • El Niño, however, is associated with higher vertical wind shear in the Atlantic, which disrupts this process.
    Evan Bush, NBC news, 1 June 2026
  • The more established the team’s reputation, the less anyone wants to be the one who disrupts it.
    Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
Verb
  • My musical theater peers would have been very hard on me [laughs].
    Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 30 May 2026
  • Now, the couple mostly laughs about the moment, even though Crawford admits the memory will probably stick with them forever.
    Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 28 May 2026
Verb
  • The chemical is commonly used in aquatics to sanitize by killing harmful bacteria, viruses, and parasites, and typically dissolves in water.
    Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 3 June 2026
  • Cut the final thread, and the connection dissolves entirely.
    Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 3 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Breaks up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/breaks%20up. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.

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