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
Most notably, the platform has noted consistent spikes during emotionally transitional moments, such as breakups, first dates, post-therapy reflection, or major relationship decisions.
—
Felysha Walker, Miami Herald, 17 Feb. 2026
The Virginia Tech transfer produced 45 tackles, 11 pass breakups and two interceptions last season, and was a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award.
—Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Feb. 2026
Public relationship milestones may arrive—engagements, breakups, or defining conversations that put love front and center.
—Christina Pérez, Vogue, 16 Feb. 2026
Most of the time, breakups are supposed to be clean-cut endings—no second thoughts, no leftover feelings, and generally, no contact.
—Jenna Ryu, SELF, 9 Feb. 2026
Students have described turning to AI tools like ChatGPT, Google Gemini, Snapchat's My AI, and Grok during breakups, grief, or emotional overwhelm.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 7 Feb. 2026
To be sure, some of these divestitures and breakups follow deals that seem to have been ill-advised from the start.
—Amelia Lucas, CNBC, 31 Jan. 2026
The weight of their present lives – the breakups of relationships and their dissatisfaction with themselves — lead to, if not epiphanies, then at least a reassessment of where their lives may be headed.
—David Morgan, CBS News, 29 Jan. 2026
But experts say polyamorous breakups aren't so different from monogamous ones.
—Sam Woodward, USA Today, 29 Jan. 2026
Felysha Walker, Miami Herald, 17 Feb. 2026
The Virginia Tech transfer produced 45 tackles, 11 pass breakups and two interceptions last season, and was a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award.
—Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Feb. 2026
Public relationship milestones may arrive—engagements, breakups, or defining conversations that put love front and center.
—Christina Pérez, Vogue, 16 Feb. 2026
Most of the time, breakups are supposed to be clean-cut endings—no second thoughts, no leftover feelings, and generally, no contact.
—Jenna Ryu, SELF, 9 Feb. 2026
Students have described turning to AI tools like ChatGPT, Google Gemini, Snapchat's My AI, and Grok during breakups, grief, or emotional overwhelm.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 7 Feb. 2026
To be sure, some of these divestitures and breakups follow deals that seem to have been ill-advised from the start.
—Amelia Lucas, CNBC, 31 Jan. 2026
The weight of their present lives – the breakups of relationships and their dissatisfaction with themselves — lead to, if not epiphanies, then at least a reassessment of where their lives may be headed.
—David Morgan, CBS News, 29 Jan. 2026
But experts say polyamorous breakups aren't so different from monogamous ones.
—Sam Woodward, USA Today, 29 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for breakups
Noun
-
Rare reversal of corporate splits Kraft Heinz is among the few companies to reverse a major breakup, as only about one in 10 corporate spinoffs are canceled on average, according to a 2022 report by KPMG.—
Reuters
Wire Service,
Dallas Morning News,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Zhang Dan landed hard, falling into an awkward splits.—
Brian Mann,
NPR,
7 Feb. 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
-
Interior work would include cleaning and restoring several features, removing non-historic partitions, and adding new walls, ceilings, floors, bathrooms, exit stairways, an elevator, as well as new lighting and millwork.—
Jessica Alvarado Gamez,
Denver Post,
10 Feb. 2026
-
But the backdrop shows several people looking down through glass partitions at that desk, much in the way some on-stage animators worked at Disney-MGM.—
Dewayne Bevil,
The Orlando Sentinel,
21 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The agency requires its divisions, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection, to train officers in de-escalation techniques and to use force only after a verbal warning, if possible, and a chance to comply.—
Natasha Korecki,
NBC news,
14 Feb. 2026
-
The Country and Democratic Party need leaders who have the skills to heal divisions and put the common good before Party politics.—
Rachel Royster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Most separations would take place April 12, the first document said.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
13 Feb. 2026
-
The raid drew criticism over family separations.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
There are still some trustbusters in the administration, especially at the FTC, which has avoided being pulled into messy lobbyist fights and White House schisms.—
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
14 Feb. 2026
-
The fracturing of the television audience parallels the schisms in America’s political culture, with viewers and voters increasingly sheltering in partisan echo chambers.—
Karrin Vasby Anderson,
Washington Post,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Breakups.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/breakups. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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