noun

• 1The separation or breaking up of something into several pieces or sections.

  ‘the break-up of the Ottoman Empire’

  More example sentences

  • ‘large quantities of oil are released after the break-up of a tanker’
  • ‘The break-up of London bus workers into separate companies has led to huge differences in the earnings of drivers across the capital.’
  • ‘In that year, however, the break-up of the USSR implied the break-up of the forces.’

  Synonyms

  separation, split, split-up, parting, parting of the ways, estrangement, rift, rupture, breach

  division, splitting up, partition, breaking up

  View synonyms

  1. 1.1The end of a relationship.
     ‘a marriage break-up’
     More example sentences

     • ‘Family Mediation Services helps families through the trauma of marriage and relationship break-ups.’
     • ‘For a start, marriage break-ups are on the increase, which often results in people taking on a mortgage later in life.’
     • ‘The organisation is running adverts in the farming press this week urging people to contact them to talk about their concerns regarding relationship break-ups.’
     • ‘Marriage break-ups are on the increase so grandparents have been crucial in those instances to provide support and care while the adult child gets him or herself back on their feet.’
     • ‘Sadly, relationship break-ups are a well-known side-effect of a dramatic diet success, because it can trigger anxiety in the partner who feels left behind.’
     • ‘It's probably the difference between going through a bad divorce and having break-ups from people you never married.’
     • ‘Almost inevitably, the career versus family scenario involves break-ups, arguments and divisions which all get resolved in some way, while the script cannot resist playing towards the obvious laughs.’
     • ‘And not all of our break-ups have been actual break-ups.’
     • ‘Families are also under siege, with violence, break-ups, abuse and divorce on the increase.’
     • ‘Clerical marital breakups will be bloody affairs.’
     • ‘In most cases, the majority of divorced-parents respondents seem to be saying they did OK despite their parents' breakups.’
     • ‘I've only had a couple of major breakups, but after each one I needed a long time to do the whole healing thing and to find some way of redefining myself as an individual.’
     • ‘Despite what you might think, I do not delight in celebrity breakups.’
     • ‘Your romances, your breakups, your happy times, your good times are known by everyone.’
     • ‘Before we talk about the breakup, you want to tell a story about his generosity.’
     • ‘If you truly believe your breakup was the right move, just treat him like the friend you want him to be.’
     • ‘All of these are normal emotions following a breakup, even if you did the breaking up.’
     • ‘I speak from experience when I say that breakups hurt.’
     • ‘Mixed feelings are part of breakups, no matter what.’
     Synonyms

     end, termination, dissolution, splitting up

     View synonyms