breakup
5 synonyms and 1 antonym for breakup, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The end of a romantic relationship.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
parting of ways
Antonyms
freeze-up
How to use breakup
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
messy breakup
go through a breakup
Etymology
A deverbal noun from the phrasal verb break up.
Full origin of breakup →Frequently asked questions
What does “breakup” mean?
The word “breakup” means the end of a romantic relationship. In plain terms, most commonly, the ending of a relationship; more broadly, any disintegration or division.
How do you pronounce “breakup”?
“Breakup” is pronounced BRAYK-uhp (/ˈbɹeɪk.ʌp/ in IPA).
How do you use “breakup” in a sentence?
Here is “breakup” used in a sentence: “Their breakup was hard on both of them.”
What is the opposite of “breakup”?
The opposite of “breakup” — its antonyms — is freeze-up.
What part of speech is “breakup”?
“Breakup” is a noun.
Is “breakup” a common word?
“Breakup” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “breakup” have?
“Breakup” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the end of a romantic relationship.
What is the difference between "breakup" (noun) and "break up" (verb phrase)?
"Breakup" is written as one word when used as a noun for the end of a relationship or something splitting apart, as in "the breakup was hard." "Break up" is written as two words when used as a verb, as in "they decided to break up."
What is the difference between a breakup and a divorce?
A breakup generally refers to the end of any romantic relationship, including ones that aren't legally recognized, while a divorce specifically refers to the legal ending of a marriage. All divorces involve a breakup, but not all breakups involve a divorce.
Can "breakup" refer to things other than relationships?
Yes, "breakup" can also describe the act of something splitting apart or coming to an end more generally, such as "the breakup of the old regime" or "the breakup of ice on a river."
