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.

Before Allen and Harbour broke up, the couple had been living in the Brooklyn townhouse with the singer’s children, whom she shares with her former spouse, Sam Cooper.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 22, 2026

Oil jumped back above $100 as U.S. bonds and stock futures fell after weekend peace talks between the U.S. and Iran broke up without resolution.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 13, 2026

The home side immediately broke up the other end of the pitch and scored through Ryan Christie in the 67th minute.

From BBC • Apr. 2, 2026

Ambrosia broke up in 1982 but reunited in 1989; Pack later left, though the band’s other three founders continued to perform.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 31, 2026

To say we broke up the play was putting it mildly.

From "Cold Sassy Tree" by Olive Ann Burns