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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of breakups
Across his final two collegiate seasons at Houston and LSU, Haulcy totaled 162 tackles, eight interceptions and 12 pass breakups, earning first-team All-Big 12 honors in 2024 and All-SEC recognition in 2025.
—
Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Apr. 2026
One of the most prominent hitmakers of the era were Human League — one of the few bands to endure for more than four decades without massive fights, angst and breakups.
—Pat Saperstein, Variety, 16 Apr. 2026
Marshall was a fifth-round pick last season who had 20 tackles, an interception and four pass breakups.
—David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 15 Apr. 2026
Backfield tandem Isaiah Pola-Mao and Jeremy Chinn combined for six pass breakups last season, so a young player with ball skills could help the group significantly.
—Sam Warren, New York Times, 15 Apr. 2026
In his career, Johnson has started 22 of a potential 92 games, snagging four interceptions and registering 17 pass breakups.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 14 Apr. 2026
In 15 games, Canady finished with 39 tackles, two interceptions and six pass breakups.
—Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 14 Apr. 2026
There have also been breakups and new flames found among the rest of the returning cast, including Jacob Elordi, Sydney Sweeney, and Maude Apatow.
—Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 12 Apr. 2026
Love on the Spectrum follows love and dating, and sometimes with that comes breakups.
—Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 9 Apr. 2026
Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Apr. 2026
One of the most prominent hitmakers of the era were Human League — one of the few bands to endure for more than four decades without massive fights, angst and breakups.
—Pat Saperstein, Variety, 16 Apr. 2026
Marshall was a fifth-round pick last season who had 20 tackles, an interception and four pass breakups.
—David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 15 Apr. 2026
Backfield tandem Isaiah Pola-Mao and Jeremy Chinn combined for six pass breakups last season, so a young player with ball skills could help the group significantly.
—Sam Warren, New York Times, 15 Apr. 2026
In his career, Johnson has started 22 of a potential 92 games, snagging four interceptions and registering 17 pass breakups.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 14 Apr. 2026
In 15 games, Canady finished with 39 tackles, two interceptions and six pass breakups.
—Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 14 Apr. 2026
There have also been breakups and new flames found among the rest of the returning cast, including Jacob Elordi, Sydney Sweeney, and Maude Apatow.
—Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 12 Apr. 2026
Love on the Spectrum follows love and dating, and sometimes with that comes breakups.
—Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 9 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for breakups
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
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
-
Inside, the seating has personal storage and moveable partitions for more seclusion or more socialization onboard as well as moody lighting.—
Nicole Hoey,
Robb Report,
13 Apr. 2026
-
Using multiple overwrite methods ensures that files, partitions, or entire drives are permanently deleted and not recoverable.—
StackCommerce Team,
PC Magazine,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The astronauts have also talked about how Earth looks like one united place, rather than a globe marked by lines demarcating countries or other divisions.—
Jackie Wattles,
CNN Money,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Political divisions course through Latino communities, including in South Florida where Telemundo is headquartered.—
Meg James,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
McKim said the separations are permanent and are expected to begin on June 30.—
Aldo Svaldi,
Denver Post,
20 Apr. 2026
-
According to Barnard, the center has both threatened family separations and enacted them.—
Sarah Stillman,
New Yorker,
13 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 25 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
