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
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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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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
Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 24 Apr. 2025
For example, doing a Roth Conversion of 100% of a large IRA would likely mean overpaying the taxes versus breaking up your conversion over a few years.
—David Rae, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Apr. 2025
Instead of viewing challenges or breakups as fate’s judgment, recognize them as opportunities for growth.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for break up
Verb
Though the group broke up and reformed numerous times over the ensuing years, Scherzinger, 46, slowly began racking up stage credits, first as Maureen in a 2010 production of Rent, and then as Grizabella in the 2014 West End revival of Cats.
—Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 24 Apr. 2025
For example, doing a Roth Conversion of 100% of a large IRA would likely mean overpaying the taxes versus breaking up your conversion over a few years.
—David Rae, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
Noun
Officers were told a man, upset about a breakup, was sitting in a blue Ford Focus with a gun near Via Casa Alta and La Jolla Scenic Drive around 10:45 a.m., San Diego police Lt. David Meyer said.
—Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Apr. 2025
Instead of viewing challenges or breakups as fate’s judgment, recognize them as opportunities for growth.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for break up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for break up
Verb
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Van Halen's members have always had strenuous relationships with one another — and that hasn't changed even after the band officially disbanded following Eddie's death.—
Emlyn Travis,
EW.com,
14 Apr. 2025
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The Democratic Party in Hong Kong, once the city’s largest opposition force, has disbanded following a crackdown by Beijing.—
Adam B. Kushner,
New York Times,
13 Apr. 2025
Verb
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When the American money stopped flowing, the local soup kitchen closed and Ms. Musa went out searching for food.—
Declan Walsh,
New York Times,
19 Apr. 2025
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The confrontation stopped and restarted as the man appeared to try to get the knife away from Perez over the fence.—
Phaedra Trethan,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The city is divided along sectarian lines: The south is home mostly to Sunni Muslims, while the northern neighborhoods are mostly Alawite.—
Christina Goldbaum,
New York Times,
20 Apr. 2025
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Passengers are divided on the appropriateness of removing shoes during flights, citing comfort versus hygiene and safety.—
Christopher Elliott,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Her case cracked the door open for other young talent to skip college entirely, but in reality, college soccer is still a key pipeline despite its changing landscape.—
Meg Linehan,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2025
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Short passwords — think six or eight characters — can be cracked in minutes by modern hacking tools.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
26 Apr. 2025
Verb
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That shouldn’t be a surprise because the Packers would rather cease to exist as a franchise than draft an offensive lineman who can’t play at least three.—
Matt Schneidman,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2025
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Without these little guys and their fellow pollinators, our gardens would be devoid of fruit, our flowers would not spread, and many species that rely on them would cease to exist.—
Katie Akin,
Southern Living,
26 Apr. 2025
Verb
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When someone has it, their immune system goes into overdrive, producing more antibodies (or immunoglobulins, hence the name) than necessary that disrupt typical organ function.—
David Oliver,
USA Today,
23 Apr. 2025
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By proactively identifying vulnerabilities and swiftly addressing security gaps, organizations can significantly lower the risk of cyber incidents that could disrupt operations or compromise sensitive data.—
Oren Koren,
Forbes.com,
21 Apr. 2025
Verb
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By singing, dancing, and laughing as our unapologetic trans selves.—
James Factora,
Them.,
18 Apr. 2025
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Her sporadic movements left McNay's children cracking up, with one falling to her knees from laughing so hard.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Earlier this month, Bristowe reflected on her 2018 split from ex Shawn Booth and acknowledged her own role in their breakup during an episode of her podcast.—
Stephanie Wenger,
People.com,
23 Apr. 2025
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Minter’s splits have been mostly equal against right- and left-handed hitters, which allows the Mets to deploy him in various situations and leverages.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
22 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Break up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/break%20up. Accessed 1 May. 2025.
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