as in divided
Related Words
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Dissimilar Words
1
as in disbanded
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in ended
to come to an end
the meeting broke up when all the business for the day had been completed
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in separated
to set or force apart
he broke up the rocks in the old stone wall with a crowbar, sending them tumbling to the ground
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in cracked
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in stopped
to bring (as an action or operation) to an immediate end
police arrived at the scene and immediately broke up the fracas
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in disrupted
to cause to separate into pieces usually suddenly or forcibly
break up the feta cheese and spread it over the salad
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in giggled
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of broken up
Literary Hub, 12 Mar. 2026
Even though the episode is broken up by brief life updates from alumni, the Lacheys are definitely focused on getting answers from the season-ten cast.
—Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 12 Mar. 2026
As Curiosity climbs, the terrain shows a clear shift toward increasingly dry conditions, broken up by occasional wetter intervals when rivers and lakes briefly resurfaced.
—Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 27 Feb. 2026
The couple, who dated for 10 months before marrying in 2004, have broken up and reconciled as coparents in recent years.
—Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 20 Feb. 2026
Stewart, on the bench and out of the game, sprinted onto the court and sought out Bridges, leading Bridges and Stewart to square off before things were finally broken up.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 11 Feb. 2026
This result is a high-scoring alley-oop-fest broken up only by about a million three-point attempts.
—Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 11 Feb. 2026
The city has broken up clusters of RVs and directed residents into short-term shelters, including tiny homes and hotels.
—Grant Stringer, Mercury News, 6 Feb. 2026
The Grizzlies won at least 48 games in three of the last four seasons — including 56 in 2021-22 — but did not advance beyond the second round with the core that is now being broken up.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 3 Feb. 2026
Verb
Real Man Adventures isn’t broken up into chapter-length sections of narrative, but rather brief, discursive essays.
—Literary Hub, 12 Mar. 2026
Even though the episode is broken up by brief life updates from alumni, the Lacheys are definitely focused on getting answers from the season-ten cast.
—Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 12 Mar. 2026
As Curiosity climbs, the terrain shows a clear shift toward increasingly dry conditions, broken up by occasional wetter intervals when rivers and lakes briefly resurfaced.
—Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 27 Feb. 2026
The couple, who dated for 10 months before marrying in 2004, have broken up and reconciled as coparents in recent years.
—Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 20 Feb. 2026
Stewart, on the bench and out of the game, sprinted onto the court and sought out Bridges, leading Bridges and Stewart to square off before things were finally broken up.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 11 Feb. 2026
This result is a high-scoring alley-oop-fest broken up only by about a million three-point attempts.
—Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 11 Feb. 2026
The city has broken up clusters of RVs and directed residents into short-term shelters, including tiny homes and hotels.
—Grant Stringer, Mercury News, 6 Feb. 2026
The Grizzlies won at least 48 games in three of the last four seasons — including 56 in 2021-22 — but did not advance beyond the second round with the core that is now being broken up.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 3 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for broken up
Adjective
-
Is her divided interest a loss to both spheres?—
AJ Willingham,
AJC.com,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Experts remain divided on whether the settlement adequately addresses anticompetitive practices or falls short of protecting consumers from high ticket prices.—
Cerys Davies,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The group disbanded in 2010, but during the hiatus and reunion tour, new fans were posting videos of the band’s music and showing off their Voxtrot tattoo inspirations, which was enough to motivate Srivastava.—
Charlie Vargas,
Daily News,
16 Mar. 2026
-
As a result of these changes, several federation units disbanded, including ones representing employees of the Florida Department of Lottery, the village of Miami Shores and Polk County.—
Scott Travis,
Sun Sentinel,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
These signals intensified recently when Kast abruptly ended the transition process after a clash with outgoing Boric over a project to install a submarine cable to connect Chile and China.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Voting for the Oscars ended March 5, possibly giving members of the academy just enough time to reconsider the slate of nominees.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Dorothy and Marino have moved out, Scarpetta is separated from Benton and Lucy is on the outs with her aunt.—
Emily Zemler,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Mar. 2026
-
In a season where the top tier has separated itself from everyone else, Michigan has unfailingly remained consistent, never dipping lower than seventh in the nation (its preseason ranking).—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Additionally, safflower seeds, peanuts, cracked corn and suet nuggets are also popular with the grosbeaks.—
Ernie Cowan,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Young is at The Players for the fourth time and has never cracked the top 50, and yet his optimism was running high even after a double bogey to finish.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The celebration, held Saturday at Safford's home, featured a drive-by parade and well-wishers who stopped to honor the centenarian whose life has spanned a century of American history.—
CBS News Atlanta Staff,
CBS News,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Goalie Daniil Tarasov stopped 19 of 25 shots.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The war with Iran has disrupted oil production and distribution as the Islamic Republic targets shipping traffic and energy infrastructure with the intention of inflicting economic pain on its adversaries.—
Claire Malon,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Mar. 2026
-
But the war with Iran has also disrupted some key air shipping lanes, particularly to Europe.—
David Goldman,
CNN Money,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Taking a deep breath, the Quantico alum giggled and then, leaning over, plunged her face straight into the ice.—
Lara Walsh,
InStyle,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Students giggled and gasped in disbelief.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Broken up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/broken%20up. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.
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