broken up 1 of 2

broken up

2 of 2

verb

past participle of break up
1
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
3
4
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

5
6
7

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 broken up
Verb
Toronto Blue Jays ace Dylan Cease recently delivered a dominant performance, nearly achieving a no-hitter that was broken up in the ninth inning. Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026 Rather, how that time is accumulated, and whether it's broken up with physical activity, also have a notable impact. Adam England, PEOPLE, 3 July 2026 After beginning their relationship in late 2013, Courteney Cox and her partner of over a decade, Snow Patrol’s Johnny McDaid, have broken up, according to multiple outlets. Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 28 June 2026 Instead, the championship is getting broken up into two series of competitions that will be hosted at a rotation of various courses. Monique John, CBS News, 25 June 2026 Gonzalez, a 39-year-old single mother raising a daughter, had just broken up with her boyfriend and couldn’t afford the rent on her studio apartment by herself. Kayla Levy, Curbed, 25 June 2026 Topography and shifting climates had broken up these populations into different habitats, allowing each to evolve into distinct species. Torben Rick, The Conversation, 18 June 2026 Officials in Germany have also broken up plots targeting the head of a German weapons supplier to Ukraine and a Ukrainian military official. Vanessa Gera, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2026 While some fans question whether Percy truly cheated on Sam if they were broken up, others have charged that neither Percy nor Charlie is redeemable as a character. Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 11 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for broken up
Adjective
  • Unlike any other roadside stop in the United States, the over-the-highway pit-stop allowed weary travelers to do all these things and watch the divided highway below.
    Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 9 July 2026
  • Prosecutors also filed two additional misdemeanor counts of reckless driving and operating a motorcycle without a valid license, along with four infractions that include driving the wrong way on a divided roadway.
    Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
Verb
  • Demosisto disbanded when Beijing imposed the security law in 2020, which authorities say has brought back stability to the city.
    ABC News, ABC News, 7 July 2026
  • The Kansas Young Republicans organization disbanded last fall after POLITICO released a trove of racist and derogatory messages exchanged in a group chat between young GOP members in four states.
    Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 7 July 2026
Verb
  • United States forward Folarin Balogun has signed with the high-profile Klutch Sports agency following an eventful World Cup campaign that ended when the national team was eliminated by Belgium in the round of 16.
    Martin Rogers, New York Times, 14 July 2026
  • After a severe concussion ended his career, that structure disappeared almost overnight.
    ABC News, ABC News, 13 July 2026
Verb
  • Some of the first reports indicated that Adebayo threw a punch at Herro’s head before the two were separated, but some league sources have indicated that initial portrayals of the fight were overblown.
    Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 14 July 2026
  • The couple married in Hanoi and lived together for nine years before she and Shimizu were separated.
    Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 14 July 2026
Verb
  • As the Yankees prepared to play on the United States’ 250th birthday, Ben Rice cracked a joke.
    Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 4 July 2026
  • The prospect of holding dry, cracked hands after dinner might persuade him that moisturizing under the table is the lesser offense.
    Judith Martin, Mercury News, 4 July 2026
Verb
  • America became the gas and diesel exporter of last resort after the Middle East stopped exporting fuel during the war.
    David Goldman, CNN Money, 14 July 2026
  • It was stopped towards the rear of the Metro bus, which didn't appear to have any significant damage.
    Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 14 July 2026
Verb
  • The ledger would document who benefits, who bears risk, which industries could be disrupted and what safeguards were tested.
    Pravir Malik, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
  • Since the Iran war began in late February, global helium supply has been disrupted and prices have gone up substantially.
    ABC News, ABC News, 10 July 2026
Verb
  • Willis sang as their children—14-year-old Mabel Ray and 12-year-old Evelyn Penn—giggled in the background.
    Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 18 June 2026
  • The couple giggled between kisses and lounged on a red-and-white picnic blanket while overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
    Tracy Wright, FOXNews.com, 16 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Broken up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/broken%20up. Accessed 15 Jul. 2026.

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