pull apart

phrasal verb

pulled apart; pulling apart; pulls apart

: to be separated into parts or pieces by pulling

The rolls pull apart easily.

: to separate or break (something) into parts or pieces

She pulled the rolls apart with her hands.

—sometimes used figuratively

His gambling problem is pulling the family apart.

: to separate (people or animals) in order to stop a fight

Customers stepped in and pulled the two men apart.

Examples of pull apart in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

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.

And along it, tectonic plates are pulling apart, including in Iceland. —

Tom Yulsman, Discover Magazine, 30 Nov. 2024 His skin was actually pulling apart on, on the bottom of his feet. —

Outside Online, 21 Nov. 2024 Tyson then slapped Paul across the face with his right hand and pointed toward the ground before the two men were pulled apart. —

Jane Onyanga-Omara, USA TODAY, 15 Nov. 2024 Grapes, like other vines, will eventually pull apart wood, stone, brick, concrete and even metal architecture. —

Michael Barnes, Austin American-Statesman, 10 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for pull apart