as in divided
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Dissimilar Words
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
as in ended
to come to an end
the meeting broke up when all the business for the day had been completed
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in separated
to set or force apart
he broke up the rocks in the old stone wall with a crowbar, sending them tumbling to the ground
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
as in stopped
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in disrupted
to cause to separate into pieces usually suddenly or forcibly
break up the feta cheese and spread it over the salad
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in giggled
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of broken up
Lily Moayeri, SPIN, 15 May 2026
In a medium bowl, mash cream cheese with a fork until broken up.
—Midwest Living, 15 May 2026
Some at Intel still believe the company should be broken up, to split manufacturing and product design and accelerate progress.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 8 May 2026
When the Canes’ forecheck attempts were broken up by Ottawa, Ehlers’ puck-moving and transition game came in clutch.
—Shayna Goldman, New York Times, 1 May 2026
After McDavid appeared to get away with a penalty against Killorn, a shot-pass intended for the Oilers captain was broken up by Granlund.
—Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 25 Apr. 2026
The soil must be broken up or aerated so moisture can penetrate the surface.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 23 Apr. 2026
It’s broken up into elements water, fire, earth and void.
—Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 22 Apr. 2026
Sandra Lee and Ben Youcef have broken up The two were together for five years and got engaged after meeting during the COVID pandemic.
—Antonia Debianchi, PEOPLE, 22 Apr. 2026
Verb
Bands that had broken up have reformed, playing bigger venues than ever and creating some of the best music of their careers.
—Lily Moayeri, SPIN, 15 May 2026
In a medium bowl, mash cream cheese with a fork until broken up.
—Midwest Living, 15 May 2026
Some at Intel still believe the company should be broken up, to split manufacturing and product design and accelerate progress.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 8 May 2026
When the Canes’ forecheck attempts were broken up by Ottawa, Ehlers’ puck-moving and transition game came in clutch.
—Shayna Goldman, New York Times, 1 May 2026
After McDavid appeared to get away with a penalty against Killorn, a shot-pass intended for the Oilers captain was broken up by Granlund.
—Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 25 Apr. 2026
The soil must be broken up or aerated so moisture can penetrate the surface.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 23 Apr. 2026
It’s broken up into elements water, fire, earth and void.
—Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 22 Apr. 2026
Sandra Lee and Ben Youcef have broken up The two were together for five years and got engaged after meeting during the COVID pandemic.
—Antonia Debianchi, PEOPLE, 22 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for broken up
Adjective
-
The Mitsubishi then traveled across all lanes of Swope Parkway, a divided road, and hit two trees before coming to rest, according to the crash log.—
Kendrick Calfee,
Kansas City Star,
15 May 2026
-
Key players Enzo Fernandez and Marc Cucurella have both criticised the club’s decision-making in interviews, while The Athletic has revealed the dressing room became divided after Maresca’s departure at the start of the year.—
Simon Johnson,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
Police officials said Tuesday that the anti-gang unit would be temporarily disbanded while the department reviews the matter.—
Richard Winton,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2026
-
Vahl’s team is one of several cooperative teams set to be disbanded next fall due to an Illinois High School Association policy that disqualifies large cooperative teams from competing at the state level, according to Orland High School District 230 officials.—
Addison Wright,
Chicago Tribune,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
After the review, McNabb was assessed a five-minute major penalty for interference and a game misconduct that ended his night.—
Eric Stephens,
New York Times,
13 May 2026
-
After one more look-ahead sizzle reminding the audience about the power of WBD’s IP, the show ended at just about 10 minutes over the hour mark.—
Jennifer Maas,
Variety,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
In some cases, families were separated.—
Annie Hylton,
New Yorker,
14 May 2026
-
This incident also led to Eckert and Hellberg nearly coming to blows before being separated by the fourth official.—
Dan Sheldon,
New York Times,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
The Broncos and offensive-line coach Zach Strief found a winner in 2024 with 6-foot-7 tackle Frank Crum, who surprisingly cracked Denver’s roster as an undrafted rookie out of Wyoming in 2024; Miller could be next in the mold of large, under-the-radar but high-upside Broncos tackles.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
10 May 2026
-
Vitello said postgame that Koss’ helmet cracked as a result of the bean ball, but Koss was in good spirits after the game.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
10 May 2026
Verb
-
Hagerty batted around against three different West Orange pitchers and before the bleeding was stopped, the Huskies had plated 10 runs in a crazy inning.—
Chris Hays,
The Orlando Sentinel,
10 May 2026
-
For nearly two hours, Kid Rock barely stopped moving.—
Théoden Janes,
Charlotte Observer,
10 May 2026
Verb
-
Water pressure is building back up in the Oakland County, Michigan, communities affected by a 42-inch water main that broke early Sunday and disrupted service.—
Paula Wethington,
CBS News,
12 May 2026
-
But last month, as Iran’s chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz disrupted exports from other nations, that proportion surged to 18%, Xu said.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
Aaron Boone, meanwhile, giggled over the way Sterling reacted to getting hit by a foul ball in the booth in 2023.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
4 May 2026
-
Holmgren merely giggled as Brooks chucked the ball past him.—
Joel Lorenzi,
New York Times,
20 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Broken up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/broken%20up. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
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