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
Allen’s versatility was reflected in his production during his final year at Georgia, when the 6-1, 235-pounder tallied 88 tackles, 3 1/2 sacks and four pass breakups.
—
Joseph Person, New York Times, 28 Jan. 2026
Neal, a Fresno State transfer, ranked fifth on the team with 55 tackles and had a team-high 2 interceptions, 10 pass breakups and 2 tackles for loss.
—Tom Murphy, Arkansas Online, 27 Jan. 2026
Durant, meanwhile, tied for the team lead with three interceptions while adding seven breakups.
—Adam Grosbard, Oc Register, 26 Jan. 2026
Spinoffs, breakups, and forced selling situations create opportunities that are not dependent on timing a macro turn.
—Jim Osman, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
The former Ohio State standout played 336 snaps on defense in 2025, and produced 51 tackles, a sack, two pass breakups and an interception as a rookie.
—Mike Kaye
updated January 26, Charlotte Observer, 26 Jan. 2026
In fact, difficulty managing emotions is one of the strongest predictors of mental illness, relationship breakups and even aggression and violence.
—Jessica A. Stern, The Conversation, 23 Jan. 2026
The University of Miami grad has amassed millions of TikTok followers with her willingness to (over) share relatable and often embarrassing problems, from acne breakouts to boyfriend breakups.
—Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 22 Jan. 2026
Her music speaks of high school romance and tearful breakups, first loves, vengeance and revenge, rage, loss, and forgiveness.
—Literary Hub, 21 Jan. 2026
Joseph Person, New York Times, 28 Jan. 2026
Neal, a Fresno State transfer, ranked fifth on the team with 55 tackles and had a team-high 2 interceptions, 10 pass breakups and 2 tackles for loss.
—Tom Murphy, Arkansas Online, 27 Jan. 2026
Durant, meanwhile, tied for the team lead with three interceptions while adding seven breakups.
—Adam Grosbard, Oc Register, 26 Jan. 2026
Spinoffs, breakups, and forced selling situations create opportunities that are not dependent on timing a macro turn.
—Jim Osman, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
The former Ohio State standout played 336 snaps on defense in 2025, and produced 51 tackles, a sack, two pass breakups and an interception as a rookie.
—Mike Kaye
updated January 26, Charlotte Observer, 26 Jan. 2026
In fact, difficulty managing emotions is one of the strongest predictors of mental illness, relationship breakups and even aggression and violence.
—Jessica A. Stern, The Conversation, 23 Jan. 2026
The University of Miami grad has amassed millions of TikTok followers with her willingness to (over) share relatable and often embarrassing problems, from acne breakouts to boyfriend breakups.
—Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 22 Jan. 2026
Her music speaks of high school romance and tearful breakups, first loves, vengeance and revenge, rage, loss, and forgiveness.
—Literary Hub, 21 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for breakups
Noun
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Apartments will be heated and cooled with Variable Refrigerant Flow, or VRF systems, based on heat pump technology, essentially mini splits, Valcourt said.—
Wheeler Cowperthwaite,
The Providence Journal,
21 Jan. 2026
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Despite Indiana being the clear favorite on paper, the betting splits reveal interesting patterns.—
Jenzia Burgos,
StyleCaster,
19 Jan. 2026
Noun
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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
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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
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And while many familiar names in wealthier metropolitan states fare well, the health picture is a reminder that the rural-urban split remains one of America’s most enduring partitions.—
Tristan Bove,
Fortune,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Deep divisions over the conflict in the Middle East threatened to tear the campus in two.—
Chicago Tribune,
Twin Cities,
25 Jan. 2026
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Scott Holmes, previously a lieutenant, is the department’s new commander of strategic initiatives and heads the community engagement, traffic and special events divisions.—
Gloria Casas,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Such separations are essential to operational security, ensuring that unauthorized individuals cannot access highly sensitive information.—
Barbara McQuade,
Twin Cities,
15 Jan. 2026
-
Such separations are essential to operational security, ensuring that unauthorized individuals cannot access highly sensitive information.—
Barbara McQuade,
Mercury News,
13 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Political schisms deepened and common ground collapsed.—
Scottie Andrew,
CNN Money,
17 Jan. 2026
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The right’s schisms were on full display during AmericaFest, Turning Point USA’s annual conference, which took place in Phoenix this past weekend.—
David Remnick,
New Yorker,
22 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Breakups.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/breakups. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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