1
as in disbands
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in stops
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 divides
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 cracks
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 ceases
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 disrupts
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 laughs
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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Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for breaks up
Verb
-
The woman in question was identified as Renee Brown, a 36-year-old single mom who works two jobs, loves her kid, and never stops, à la Reba McEntire.—
Marc Griffin,
VIBE.com,
8 Jan. 2025 -
During the cruise, expect beachside dinners under the stars, stops at under-the-radar villages, and visits to temples.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
7 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The judiciary should act with resolve—now—to ensure that this abuse of executive power ceases.—
Daniel R. Depetris,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Apr. 2025
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Tempers flare and stadiums erupt in this incredible tournament, that never ceases to entertain.—
Joseph O'Sullivan,
Forbes.com,
1 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Being pushed out of a stable home disrupts childhood learning and mental health.—
Jane Hursh,
Orlando Sentinel,
22 Mar. 2025
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We've all been told not to look at a screen before bedtime because the light disrupts sleep, right?—
Sanaz Meshkinpour,
NPR,
21 Mar. 2025
Verb
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In fact, Jimi Hendrix was the first to pass a joint to me [laughs].—
Jim Clash,
Forbes.com,
8 Apr. 2025
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Yet, almost four decades later, that evening remains a fond, funny memory for the couple; Eddie laughs self-deprecatingly throughout Manda’s anecdote.—
Judy Berman,
TIME,
24 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, bring the vinegar, sugar and a pinch of salt to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring until sugar dissolves.—
Kelly Brant,
Arkansas Online,
8 Apr. 2025
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To tackle the problem, this new type of plastic casing dissolves in water in just a few hours.—
Daniel Wine,
CNN Money,
7 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Waukegan’s balanced budget for the current fiscal year, which ends April 30, is $245 million.—
Charles Selle,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Mar. 2025
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The undefined goals of the tit-for-tat escalation with some of the United States’ most important partners has left markets reeling and businesses baffled as to how this ends.—
Philip Elliott,
TIME,
5 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals halts the execution of death row inmate David Leonard Wood.—
Taylor Wilson,
USA TODAY,
12 Mar. 2025
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The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals halts the execution of death row inmate David Leonard Wood.—
Taylor Wilson,
USA TODAY,
12 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Powell's term expires in 2026 but could be extended.—
Andrea Hsu,
NPR,
21 Mar. 2025
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To add insult to injury, fresh speculation emerged over the future of club captain Virgil van Dijk, whose contract expires this summer.—
Sam Tighe,
The Athletic,
21 Mar. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Breaks up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/breaks%20up. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.
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