as in splits
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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Recent Examples of breakups
Evidently, breakups do not always make for the best music.
—
Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 8 May 2026
But the bigger purpose of this residency is to celebrate not just an album but a career that survived romantic breakups, solo stardom for Stefani, tentative reunions and now a deserved victory lap.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 7 May 2026
Ahead, see the royal pairs who chose to dissolve their relationship, the circumstances leading up to their breakups and the aftermath.
—Diana Pearl, PEOPLE, 6 May 2026
An emo band whose members might otherwise now be at their most stable and content, they still seem authentically driven by unbridled, urgent emotion—only now their breakups involve lawyers, and the friendship drama occurs between people who rely on each other for income.
—Sam Sodomsky, Pitchfork, 4 May 2026
In the final two years of his college career, Lee amassed 18 pass breakups and two interceptions with the Texas A&M Aggies.
—Mike Kaye
may 4, Charlotte Observer, 4 May 2026
At Idaho State last year, Lindsay had 28 tackles over 10 games with five pass breakups and an interception.
—Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 May 2026
Why do these breakups stay with us, sometimes for much longer than romantic ones?
—Erik Pedersen, Oc Register, 1 May 2026
In his final college season for Wake Forest, Webb had 35 tackles, a sack and seven pass breakups while allowing just one touchdown on 50 targets.
—Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 1 May 2026
Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 8 May 2026
But the bigger purpose of this residency is to celebrate not just an album but a career that survived romantic breakups, solo stardom for Stefani, tentative reunions and now a deserved victory lap.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 7 May 2026
Ahead, see the royal pairs who chose to dissolve their relationship, the circumstances leading up to their breakups and the aftermath.
—Diana Pearl, PEOPLE, 6 May 2026
An emo band whose members might otherwise now be at their most stable and content, they still seem authentically driven by unbridled, urgent emotion—only now their breakups involve lawyers, and the friendship drama occurs between people who rely on each other for income.
—Sam Sodomsky, Pitchfork, 4 May 2026
In the final two years of his college career, Lee amassed 18 pass breakups and two interceptions with the Texas A&M Aggies.
—Mike Kaye
may 4, Charlotte Observer, 4 May 2026
At Idaho State last year, Lindsay had 28 tackles over 10 games with five pass breakups and an interception.
—Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 May 2026
Why do these breakups stay with us, sometimes for much longer than romantic ones?
—Erik Pedersen, Oc Register, 1 May 2026
In his final college season for Wake Forest, Webb had 35 tackles, a sack and seven pass breakups while allowing just one touchdown on 50 targets.
—Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 1 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for breakups
Noun
-
In addition to the British, members of the Greek, Monégasque, Albanian and more royal families have revealed their splits in recent years.—
Diana Pearl,
PEOPLE,
6 May 2026
-
Besides differences between Republicans and Democrats, intra-party splits have meant past efforts struggled to get widespread support.—
Emily Wilkins,
CNBC,
22 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
There could be more dissolutions and consolidations in the future.—
Joseph States,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Jan. 2026
-
The drama that sometimes follows their dissolutions speaks to a broader uncertainty in the air about how gay couples should be.—
Paul McAdory,
Them.,
9 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Roberts opened up the space by taking down office partitions in the roughly 1,500-square-foot store, 3941 Park Drive, Suite 80.—
Corey Schmidt,
Sacbee.com,
13 May 2026
-
Balconies are separated by relatively thin partitions, and sound carries easily outdoors.—
David Nikel,
Forbes.com,
10 May 2026
Noun
-
No one person has incited violence, created divisions and preached hatred more than the current resident of the White House.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
10 May 2026
-
The other eight divisions remain 32 teams and single elimination.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
9 May 2026
Noun
-
Councilmember Mai Vang said the Youth, Parks & Community Enrichment Department is one of the smallest departments in the city, yet faces a majority of the personnel separations.—
Ishani Desai,
Sacbee.com,
6 May 2026
-
Grade separations greatly improve safety by reducing the chance of collisions between trains and cars, as well as cyclists and pedestrians.—
Phil Diehl,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Given the schisms, some in the GOP believe only a single party-line bill may end up passing before November.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
9 Apr. 2026
-
But over the past decade or so, major schisms have emerged.—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Breakups.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/breakups. Accessed 15 May. 2026.
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