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 Splitting plants is fairly easy: First, dig up your entire plant, pull apart the roots gently, and then cut them into multiple pieces with a sharp tool. —

Katherine McLaughlin, Architectural Digest, 7 Aug. 2024 This happens in natural photosynthesis as plants pull apart the hydrogen and oxygen atoms of water molecules. —

Michael Franco, New Atlas, 3 Aug. 2024 Gently pull apart the left and right sides for a more relaxed look. —

Dory Zayas, Parents, 26 July 2024 But the research team also pinpointed the specific enzymes (proteins that catalyze biochemical reactions) within the bacteria that facilitate the pulling apart off the carbon-fluoride bonds. —

Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 3 Sep. 2019 See all Example Sentences for pull apart

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pull apart.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.