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
The 26-year-old made five starts in 11 appearances and had a career-low two pass breakups.
—
ABC News, 10 Mar. 2026
Tonga started eight of 17 games last year, recording 31 tackles, a sack, four QB hits and a pair of pass breakups.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 9 Mar. 2026
The former Miami Hurricanes standout has 28 sacks, 11 pass breakups, 68 QB hits and an interception on his NFL resume.
—Mike Kaye
updated March 9, Charlotte Observer, 9 Mar. 2026
Bryant, a fourth-round pick out of Cincinnati in 2022, last season recorded four interceptions, 66 tackles and seven pass breakups.
—Daniel Popper, New York Times, 9 Mar. 2026
Prince William and Kate Middleton had two brief breakups before tying the knot in April 2011.
—Emma Banks, InStyle, 9 Mar. 2026
Many people shift between singlehood and partnership throughout their lives due to breakups, divorce and the death of their spouses or partners.
—Peter McGraw, The Conversation, 6 Mar. 2026
Vulnerability is earned, which is why your deepest fears, details of your past breakups, or tender quirks that make you you should be reserved for people who deserve it.
—Jenna Ryu, SELF, 3 Mar. 2026
The first season explored the group moving in together, launching a fashion line, go on vacation in Miami, deal with health problems and startup issues and breakups.
—Peter White, Deadline, 3 Mar. 2026
ABC News, 10 Mar. 2026
Tonga started eight of 17 games last year, recording 31 tackles, a sack, four QB hits and a pair of pass breakups.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 9 Mar. 2026
The former Miami Hurricanes standout has 28 sacks, 11 pass breakups, 68 QB hits and an interception on his NFL resume.
—Mike Kaye
updated March 9, Charlotte Observer, 9 Mar. 2026
Bryant, a fourth-round pick out of Cincinnati in 2022, last season recorded four interceptions, 66 tackles and seven pass breakups.
—Daniel Popper, New York Times, 9 Mar. 2026
Prince William and Kate Middleton had two brief breakups before tying the knot in April 2011.
—Emma Banks, InStyle, 9 Mar. 2026
Many people shift between singlehood and partnership throughout their lives due to breakups, divorce and the death of their spouses or partners.
—Peter McGraw, The Conversation, 6 Mar. 2026
Vulnerability is earned, which is why your deepest fears, details of your past breakups, or tender quirks that make you you should be reserved for people who deserve it.
—Jenna Ryu, SELF, 3 Mar. 2026
The first season explored the group moving in together, launching a fashion line, go on vacation in Miami, deal with health problems and startup issues and breakups.
—Peter White, Deadline, 3 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for breakups
Noun
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There are other splits by gender, race and education that stood out.—
Domenico Montanaro,
NPR,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Files with 100 to 180 grit are ideal for shaping and shortening gel, acrylic, or press-on nails, while medium grit (around 180 to 220) is better for shaping natural tips—without causing splits or tears.—
Lily Wohlner,
Allure,
5 Mar. 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
-
The Mission patients were separated from other patients only by plastic partitions, according to the CMS records.—
Andrew Jones,
Charlotte Observer,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Don’t sleep on the dreamy lobby, perched high above the sea and featuring undulating wooden partitions that resemble the curves of coral reefs.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Flower lovers of all skill levels can enter the show with divisions ranging from horticulture and floral design to youth and photography.—
Martina Schimitschek,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Mar. 2026
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Chait began his career in LAUSD classrooms teaching kindergarten before becoming a principal and later superintendent of the district’s then-Local District Northeast, one of the regional divisions that oversaw school communities across Northeast Los Angeles and parts of the San Fernando Valley.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The six separations can be taken to include three sets of prohibitions.—
Cass Sunstein,
Big Think,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Wisconsin had the second-highest number of total job separations in the country in December.—
Ricardo Torres,
jsonline.com,
2 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Ferrante’s portrait of these schisms is exquisite, detailing all the jealousies and insecurities that can thrive in a friendship between two bright ambitious women.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 Mar. 2026
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Breakups.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/breakups. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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