broke up

VERB

end relationship, activity

Synonyms

STRONGEST

adjourn disband dismantle disperse disrupt dissolve divide halt put an end to separate split stop suspend terminate

WEAK

disassemble divorce end part scatter sever sunder take apart

Antonyms

STRONGEST

arrange assemble begin collect combine continue encourage gather go join marry open put together start unite

WEAK

reconcile

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

It’s no surprise that the Stones nearly broke up during this period.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 10, 2026

During the Progressive Era, when party machine politics dominated, judicial elections were put forward as a reform to promote democratic accountability because they broke up concentrations of power and redistributed it to the people.

From Slate • Jul. 8, 2026

After the band broke up in 1979, Ms. Daye recorded a successful solo album, and Messrs. Darnell and Hernandez formed the popular Kid Creole and the Coconuts.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 15, 2026

Thayil wants to get things right — he explains that he was the person thinking about Soundgarden’s legacy after the band broke up in 1997.

From Salon • Jun. 9, 2026

“She broke up with her boyfriend or something,” Erlan told me.

From Absolutely Almost by Lisa Graff