BROKE UP Synonyms: 279 Similar and Opposite Words

broke up

verb

past tense of break up

as in disbanded

to cease to exist or cause to cease to exist as a group or organization the band broke up when their arguments over money grew too stressful

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as in stopped

to come to an end the meeting broke up when all the business for the day had been completed

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as in divided

to set or force apart he broke up the rocks in the old stone wall with a crowbar, sending them tumbling to the ground

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as in cracked

to yield to mental or emotional stress the sort of person who would be among the first to break up in a prisoner of war camp

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as in ceased

to bring (as an action or operation) to an immediate end police arrived at the scene and immediately broke up the fracas

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as in disrupted

to cause to separate into pieces usually suddenly or forcibly break up the feta cheese and spread it over the salad

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as in laughed

to show mirth with an explosive vocal sound if you break up during the skit, the audience will know that you're in on the joke

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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 broke up From a Fighting Ring to a Sanctuary Stage In 2025, authorities broke up a major cockfighting operation in Pennsylvania, rescuing around 300 chickens and filing more than 300 charges related to animal fighting and cruelty. —

Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 22 Apr. 2026 Miami's Liam Hicks broke up the shutout in the eighth with a two-run homer. —

CBS News, 16 Apr. 2026 This went viral, and soon after, Iris and Pepe broke up and unfollowed each other on Instagram. —

Allison Degrushe, StyleCaster, 16 Apr. 2026 The band broke up in 1999 after Alexander lost interest in performing — one perfect song and out. —

Ryan Brennan april 8, Miami Herald, 8 Apr. 2026 The band broke up in 2001 but reunited in 2014 — though no subsequent music came close to replicating the song’s chart success. —

Ryan Brennan april 8, Kansas City Star, 8 Apr. 2026 Ambrosia broke up in 1982 but reunited in 1989; Pack later left, though the band’s other three founders continued to perform. —

Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2026 Nate, who stormed out of Lexi's play and seemingly broke up with Cassie in the process, makes a shocking decision to turn his dad, Cal Jacobs (Dane), over to the police. —

Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 31 Mar. 2026 Ambrosia broke up in 1982 and then reunited in 1989 with all four original members. —

Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 31 Mar. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for broke up

Verb

After the Ronettes disbanded, Ross continued to release music solo.

— Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 27 Apr. 2026
The group, however, eventually disbanded because many of its members enlisted in the Union Army.

— Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 27 Apr. 2026