as in splits
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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Recent Examples of breakups
Most of the time, breakups are supposed to be clean-cut endings—no second thoughts, no leftover feelings, and generally, no contact.
—
Jenna Ryu, SELF, 9 Feb. 2026
Students have described turning to AI tools like ChatGPT, Google Gemini, Snapchat's My AI, and Grok during breakups, grief, or emotional overwhelm.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 7 Feb. 2026
To be sure, some of these divestitures and breakups follow deals that seem to have been ill-advised from the start.
—Amelia Lucas, CNBC, 31 Jan. 2026
The weight of their present lives – the breakups of relationships and their dissatisfaction with themselves — lead to, if not epiphanies, then at least a reassessment of where their lives may be headed.
—David Morgan, CBS News, 29 Jan. 2026
But experts say polyamorous breakups aren't so different from monogamous ones.
—Sam Woodward, USA Today, 29 Jan. 2026
Allen’s versatility was reflected in his production during his final year at Georgia, when the 6-1, 235-pounder tallied 88 tackles, 3 1/2 sacks and four pass breakups.
—Joseph Person, New York Times, 28 Jan. 2026
Neal, a Fresno State transfer, ranked fifth on the team with 55 tackles and had a team-high 2 interceptions, 10 pass breakups and 2 tackles for loss.
—Tom Murphy, Arkansas Online, 27 Jan. 2026
The former Ohio State standout played 336 snaps on defense in 2025, and produced 51 tackles, a sack, two pass breakups and an interception as a rookie.
—Mike Kaye
updated January 26, Charlotte Observer, 26 Jan. 2026
Jenna Ryu, SELF, 9 Feb. 2026
Students have described turning to AI tools like ChatGPT, Google Gemini, Snapchat's My AI, and Grok during breakups, grief, or emotional overwhelm.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 7 Feb. 2026
To be sure, some of these divestitures and breakups follow deals that seem to have been ill-advised from the start.
—Amelia Lucas, CNBC, 31 Jan. 2026
The weight of their present lives – the breakups of relationships and their dissatisfaction with themselves — lead to, if not epiphanies, then at least a reassessment of where their lives may be headed.
—David Morgan, CBS News, 29 Jan. 2026
But experts say polyamorous breakups aren't so different from monogamous ones.
—Sam Woodward, USA Today, 29 Jan. 2026
Allen’s versatility was reflected in his production during his final year at Georgia, when the 6-1, 235-pounder tallied 88 tackles, 3 1/2 sacks and four pass breakups.
—Joseph Person, New York Times, 28 Jan. 2026
Neal, a Fresno State transfer, ranked fifth on the team with 55 tackles and had a team-high 2 interceptions, 10 pass breakups and 2 tackles for loss.
—Tom Murphy, Arkansas Online, 27 Jan. 2026
The former Ohio State standout played 336 snaps on defense in 2025, and produced 51 tackles, a sack, two pass breakups and an interception as a rookie.
—Mike Kaye
updated January 26, Charlotte Observer, 26 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for breakups
Noun
-
Zhang Dan landed hard, falling into an awkward splits.—
Brian Mann,
NPR,
7 Feb. 2026
-
However, the Royals love his offensive splits against lefties throughout his career.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
There could be more dissolutions and consolidations in the future.—
Joseph States,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Jan. 2026
-
The drama that sometimes follows their dissolutions speaks to a broader uncertainty in the air about how gay couples should be.—
Paul McAdory,
Them.,
9 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
But the backdrop shows several people looking down through glass partitions at that desk, much in the way some on-stage animators worked at Disney-MGM.—
Dewayne Bevil,
The Orlando Sentinel,
21 Jan. 2026
-
And while many familiar names in wealthier metropolitan states fare well, the health picture is a reminder that the rural-urban split remains one of America’s most enduring partitions.—
Tristan Bove,
Fortune,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Like many nations across the world, Australia has experienced sharp divisions over Israel’s war in Gaza that have spilled into protests – with more planned in as many as 30 cities nationwide on Monday to mark Herzog’s visit.—
Hilary Whiteman,
CNN Money,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Those rankings determine which teams go into which playoff divisions and how teams are seeded in those divisions.—
Steve Fryer,
Oc Register,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The raid drew criticism over family separations.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Employee separations are scheduled to begin on March 27.—
Ricardo Torres,
jsonline.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The band’s success was stymied by internal schisms, as Negron’s addiction to drugs eventually landed him on Skid Row for a time.—
Natalie Oganesyan,
Deadline,
2 Feb. 2026
-
Yet even within conservative or liberal groups, there are signs that each one would eventually emerge with the same types of schisms that exist today.—
Sheldon Jacobson,
Twin Cities,
30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Breakups.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/breakups. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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