1
as in to disband
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
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2
as in to stop
to come to an end
the meeting broke up when all the business for the day had been completed
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3
as in to divide
to set or force apart
he broke up the rocks in the old stone wall with a crowbar, sending them tumbling to the ground
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4
as in to crack
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
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5
as in to cease
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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6
as in to disrupt
to cause to separate into pieces usually suddenly or forcibly
break up the feta cheese and spread it over the salad
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7
as in to laugh
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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as in split
the act or process of a whole separating into two or more parts or pieces
the breakup of the Soviet Union and the collapse of communism pretty much signaled the end of the Cold War
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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of break up
Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 7 Jan. 2025
And the 2021 draft class — which also features Pro Bowl cornerback Jaycee Horn and leading rusher Chuba Hubbard — has a good chance of being broken up in the aftermath, especially following a 5-12 slate.
—Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 7 Jan. 2025
Queenie Wong, Los Angeles Times, 6 Jan. 2025
Hill undermined the organization, especially the culture McDaniel’s trying to build, and there’s the potential that this breakup can have a lasting impact on this team.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 6 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for break up 
Verb
In total, the group released nine albums during their initial run before breaking up in 1970.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 7 Jan. 2025
And the 2021 draft class — which also features Pro Bowl cornerback Jaycee Horn and leading rusher Chuba Hubbard — has a good chance of being broken up in the aftermath, especially following a 5-12 slate.
—Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 7 Jan. 2025
Noun
Analysts are skeptical a Google breakup will happen, but expect the Trump administration to tackle antitrust concerns surrounding Big Tech.
—Queenie Wong, Los Angeles Times, 6 Jan. 2025
Hill undermined the organization, especially the culture McDaniel’s trying to build, and there’s the potential that this breakup can have a lasting impact on this team.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 6 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for break up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for break up
Verb
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Austin's departure note said members of his civil rights team would continue their work in different organizations inside Meta, suggesting the team is being disbanded.Jessica Guynn, USA TODAY, 11 Jan. 2025
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The organization has since been bought and formally disbanded.Brittney Melton, NPR, 6 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Smoking has been linked to the formation of spider veins, so stop or limit smoking to reduce your risk.Laura Schober, Health, 12 Jan. 2025
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The tentative nature of the detection didn’t stop Liang Fu of MIT and Constantin Schrade of Louisiana State University from trying to explain it.Charlie Wood, WIRED, 12 Jan. 2025
Verb
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On Monday, the US government announced a new round of regulations on global AI chip exports, dividing the world into roughly three tiers of access.Ars Technica, Ars Technica, 13 Jan. 2025
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Other volunteers set up in the job center’s parking lot to divide donations into care packages of food, toiletries, water and clothing.Yvonne Condes, Los Angeles Times, 12 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Coach Andy Reid’s mustache froze, Patrick Mahomes’ helmet cracked and the Chiefs jumped to a 10-0 lead early and won easily.Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 8 Jan. 2025
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According to court records, Jackson was found in possession of approximately 87 grams of cocaine, 19 grams of crack cocaine and $1,167 in cash.Staff report, Hartford Courant, 8 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Much to the lament of American enthusiasts, Mercedes ceased production of the E 63 S wagon last year, which has helped to keep values high.Christian Gilbertsen, Robb Report, 8 Jan. 2025
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Without this, a creator’s business may cease to exist—with a human-size hole left in its place.Rodney Mason, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025
Verb
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While many organizations prioritize technology, additional areas outside the technological realm can disrupt security capabilities and affect vulnerability management.Dewayne Hart, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025
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As the region grapples with the sheer number of homes and buildings destroyed, livelihoods disrupted and lives lost, its signature industry will face yet another setback in the loss of go-to filming spots, particularly in the Altadena area and Pacific Palisades.Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, 16 Jan. 2025
Verb
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That shared experience of laughing together helps both of us find relaxation.Amanda Schupak, New York Times, 13 Jan. 2025
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Vinicius Jr laughed from the sidelines as assistant Francesco Mauri took him away from the melee.Guillermo Rai, The Athletic, 10 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Now, Hague is giving her followers a more intimate look into her life with Bambi — and her split from Fury — in the Prime documentary Molly-Mae: Behind It All, which hits the platform on Jan. 17.Jordana Comiter, People.com, 17 Jan. 2025
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Meta announced a $4 million donation split between CEO Mark Zuckerberg and the company while both Netflix and Comcast pledged $10 million donations to multiple aid groups.CJ Haddad, CNBC, 15 Jan. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Break up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/break%20up. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
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