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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of break up
Derek Horner, Outdoor Life, 16 Apr. 2026
Broadly speaking, the states could ask for any number of remedies, including breaking up Live Nation and Ticketmaster, or forcing Live Nation to divest from other assets (such as some of its venues).
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 16 Apr. 2026
Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 16 Apr. 2026
Season 7 of the reality dating show saw plenty of couples make up and breakup throughout their time in Fiji.
—Julia Moore, PEOPLE, 16 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for break up
Verb
After a few swipes from the bass, the big school will break up into smaller schools trying to escape, which is where your A-rig shines.
—Derek Horner, Outdoor Life, 16 Apr. 2026
Broadly speaking, the states could ask for any number of remedies, including breaking up Live Nation and Ticketmaster, or forcing Live Nation to divest from other assets (such as some of its venues).
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 16 Apr. 2026
Noun
After a crushing breakup, Lucy moves back in with her eccentric single dad and dives into bad dates, false starts, and growing pains.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 16 Apr. 2026
Season 7 of the reality dating show saw plenty of couples make up and breakup throughout their time in Fiji.
—Julia Moore, PEOPLE, 16 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for break up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for break up
Verb
-
Last Generation disbanded in January 2025.—
Anne Doran,
ARTnews.com,
15 Apr. 2026
-
The Sequence became the first female hip-hop act to sign with Sugar Hill Records and released three albums before disbanding in 1985.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
On the mound for Monday’s 2-0 win, pitch count was the only thing that could stop Toma.—
Paul Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Apr. 2026
-
If nerves come up, that’s part of the process, not a reason to stop.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The proposal was to close the Churchill Avenue crossing, which is right next to Palo Alto High School, but the community is divided on what is the best way to protect kids.—
Andrea Nakano,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Israel and Lebanon have technically been at war since Israel was established in 1948, and Lebanon remains deeply divided over diplomatic engagement with Israel.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Clad in all black, James and the band cracked wise onstage with a brash, swashbuckling attitude, led constant clap-alongs, and took multiple sojourns into the crowd — and that was just during the first song.—
Daniel Kohn,
Rolling Stone,
17 Apr. 2026
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Its brunch menu features a variety of fun bites, sides and mains, such as Avocado Toast Flights; Wake and Gravy Poutine; and the Trenton Porkroll Benny made with two poached eggs, cracked pepper and melted cheddar over potato pancakes.—
USA TODAY NETWORK,
USA Today,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Some galleries, including Sean Kelly and Tanya Bonakdar of New York, have closed their LA outposts or ceased mounting exhibitions there.—
Brian Boucher,
ARTnews.com,
20 Apr. 2026
-
At the time, University Heights, citing zoning laws, issued a cease-and-desist order blocking Grand from using his home for prayer.—
Grace Gilson,
Sun Sentinel,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Now, with missiles intercepted over Gulf capitals and air travel repeatedly disrupted, the long-standing stability of Dubai expat life is being questioned.—
Emma Graham,Sawdah Bhaimiya,
CNBC,
21 Apr. 2026
-
That year, as gas prices spiked fast after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine disrupted global oil markets and in the wake of peak COVID-19 inflation, politicians felt pressure to act on relief, and many did.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The crowd laughed, and the Parenthood actor noted that people intervened and broke up the fight.—
Lexi Carson,
HollywoodReporter,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Roberts laughed, but the twinkle in his eye was genuine.—
Bill Shaikin,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Such agreements often include incredibly detailed terms with wildly differing splits and sometimes convoluted formulas.—
Teri Sforza,
Oc Register,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Working between the pipes for the Kings for the second straight game, goaltender Anton Forsberg made his presence felt midway through the frame, doing the splits to fend off an attempt with his right foot.—
Josh Gross,
Daily News,
10 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Break up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/break%20up. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
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