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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of broken up
Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 23 Oct. 2025
The pastel hues are broken up at the bottom of this pair with burgundy rubber below the shoe’s signature Abzorb SBS cushioning pods.
—Riley Jones, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 2025
The administration, however, views public schools as a monopoly that should be broken up.
—Megan O’Matz, ProPublica, 10 Oct. 2025
Citizens broke ground on the DigIndy project in 2013 and started with mining the tunnel system, which was broken up into different sections.
—Karl Schneider, IndyStar, 9 Oct. 2025
The first two were successfully broken up by park security.
—Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 8 Oct. 2025
After sampling, genetic material—the creature’s DNA—is collected from cells and then broken up into fragments that are short enough to be read by the sequencing machines.
—IEEE Spectrum, 2 Oct. 2025
Lyrics from the project prompted concerns that the band, which also includes Taylor York and Zac Farro, had broken up.
—Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 2 Oct. 2025
Different from other Charlotte's Web adaptations being feature-length films, this special being broken up into three parts (each about 43 minutes long) helps the story feel both bigger and more manageable for families who want to take it in at their own pace.
—Devonne Goode, Parents, 1 Oct. 2025
Verb
The stark black silhouette is broken up by an oak handle to add some visual interest.
—Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 23 Oct. 2025
The pastel hues are broken up at the bottom of this pair with burgundy rubber below the shoe’s signature Abzorb SBS cushioning pods.
—Riley Jones, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 2025
The administration, however, views public schools as a monopoly that should be broken up.
—Megan O’Matz, ProPublica, 10 Oct. 2025
Citizens broke ground on the DigIndy project in 2013 and started with mining the tunnel system, which was broken up into different sections.
—Karl Schneider, IndyStar, 9 Oct. 2025
The first two were successfully broken up by park security.
—Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 8 Oct. 2025
After sampling, genetic material—the creature’s DNA—is collected from cells and then broken up into fragments that are short enough to be read by the sequencing machines.
—IEEE Spectrum, 2 Oct. 2025
Lyrics from the project prompted concerns that the band, which also includes Taylor York and Zac Farro, had broken up.
—Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 2 Oct. 2025
Different from other Charlotte's Web adaptations being feature-length films, this special being broken up into three parts (each about 43 minutes long) helps the story feel both bigger and more manageable for families who want to take it in at their own pace.
—Devonne Goode, Parents, 1 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for broken up
Adjective
-
European markets fell after a divided Bank of England kept its main interest rate unchanged.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
6 Nov. 2025
-
It’s supported by a broad coalition of industry leaders, environmentalists, chefs, fishermen and scientists—in a time that feels so divided, this is an awesome example of people coming together.—
Amanda Leland,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
After releasing five albums with the Richard Smallwood Singers, Smallwood disbanded the act in the early 1990s and went on to form a large backing choir known as Vision.—
Mitchell Peters,
Billboard,
31 Dec. 2025
-
Smallwood disbanded the Smallwood Singers in the early 1990s and formed the backing choir Vision, which accompanied him on numerous albums through 2015.—
Steven J. Horowitz,
Variety,
30 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Just weeks after the fun ended, Mosley must convince boosters, donors and fans that 2025 doesn’t have to be a one-off.—
Mac Engel
January 9,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 Jan. 2026
-
The Royals are one of nine MLB teams that have ended deals with Main Street Sports this week.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Upon landing, the men separated and tried to flee but most were captured that same day.—
Antonio Maria Delgado,
Miami Herald,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Others abused alcohol and drugs, were separated and divorced, or acted out violently.—
Arianna Huffington,
Fortune,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Last year, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame chairman John Sykes cracked open the door to dispel a bit of mystique that surrounds his nominating committee.—
Devon Ivie,
Vulture,
9 Nov. 2025
-
To this day, no townhouse has cracked $90 million — hedge-funder Philip Falcone’s doublewide townhouse on East 65th Street, set the townhouse record in 2019 at nearly $80 million, which has yet to be surpassed.—
Kim Velsey,
Curbed,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Ross, who was one of several federal agents involved in the arrest, initially drew his service weapon, but holstered the gun after Muñoz-Guatemala stopped his car and raised his hands, according to the affidavit.—
Allison Gordon,
CNN Money,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Braddy stopped the car, got Quantisha back inside, and put Shandelle in the trunk, before driving for 30 to 45 minutes.—
Nicole Acosta,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The Lakers disrupted alley-oop attempts to Castle and Luke Kornet in the opening minutes.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
-
During a three-game losing streak that began with a loss to Arkansas State, Arkansas has been turnover prone and seen its dribble-drive offense disrupted.—
Ethan Westerman,
Arkansas Online,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Throughout the nearly six-minute-long video, the brother-sister duo giggled at their family memories, which included moments from school, at home, on vacation with their parents and more.—
Francesca Gariano,
PEOPLE,
26 Dec. 2025
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And the tow truck went flying through the air as both boys giggled.—
Brad Schmitt,
Nashville Tennessean,
19 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Broken up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/broken%20up. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026.
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