Skip to main content
break

break

89 3.4
An ending of a relationship or cooperation after disagreement
  • noun
  • /breɪk/
translation icon : ruptura
  • What precipitated the break between us was my decision to speak directly to his superior.
  • a break-up
  • break with the past
  • a break from tradition

Well, you may have just had a break up and instead of saying, why me?

Autoplay Next

Examples

  • The break in their friendship caused both of them a lot of pain.

  • Adriana didn't know yet about the break-up and sometimes asked him about Luz-Marie.

    Fiction book (1999)
  • I just went through a break up.

  • Now that you and Mom have made the break, you can't help feeling responsible and a bit guilty.

    Fiction book (2000)
  • Now, that instantly explained my break-up with John Miller, my high school sweetheart of two years.

    Fiction book (2002)
  • After the break, they found it hard to trust each other again.

  • Their disagreement led to a break that neither of them had anticipated.

Synonyms

division
vsbreak
138 4.2

A strong disagreement that separates people in a group

is the neutral ending word that does not stress internal group split
divide
vsbreak
110 6.0

A strong disagreement between groups that causes tension

is the general ending word and does not require an ongoing disagreement
breakup
vsbreak
107 3.4

The end of a relationship, often between romantic partners or groups

is the general term for any ending between people or groups
separation
vsbreak
  • Formal
95 3.7

When married people stop living together but are not divorced

is the general ending term without the legal marriage focus
breakdown
vsbreak
79 4.4

A failure in a system or relationship that stops it working properly

is the simple ending word not focused on systemic collapse
severance
vsbreak
44 6.9

An end to a connection between people or groups

is the common word for ending associations without legal or formal sense
rift
vsbreak
34 5.4

A serious break between people or groups that causes conflict

is the broader ending term that may not imply lasting conflict
falling out
vsbreak
  • Informal
30 4.4

A disagreement that ends or weakens a relationship

is the neutral ending term and does not focus on the prior quarrel
breach
vsbreak
21 5.2

A break in friendly relations between people or groups causing tension

is the neutral ending term not limited to problems between friends
dissolution
vsbreak
  • Formal
20 6.8

The official ending of a group like a partnership or parliament

is the ordinary ending word not implying formality or legal process
clean break
vsbreak
  • Informal
12 3.9

A complete ending of a relationship or old life to start fresh

is the ordinary ending word that does not imply a fresh start
fragmentation
vsbreak
  • Specialized
9 6.8

When a group or society breaks into smaller parts and loses shared values

is the general ending term not emphasizing gradual disintegration
rupture
vsbreak
6 7.1

A serious break between people or groups that causes a lack of trust

is the general ending term that does not always imply extreme hostility
breaking away
vsbreak
5 5.0

An act of leaving a group suddenly to be on your own

is the broad ending term not focused on gaining independence
breaking off
vsbreak
5 4.7

A sudden end of an activity, relationship, or talk

is used more generally and does not stress sudden interruption
splitsville
vsbreak
  • Slang
3 9.9

The end of a romantic relationship, for example a breakup or divorce

is the neutral, general word for ending relationships without informality
2 6.1

A time when people or groups separate and go different ways

is the broader ending term without the image of diverging paths
disbandment
vsbreak
1 7.5

Breaking up an organized group like a band or army

is the general ending word that also applies to personal ties
break-off
vsbreak
4.3

An ending of a relationship or agreement, often sudden

is the general ending word without the suddenness emphasis
burst-up
vsbreak
  • UK
7.7

A sudden strong argument that ends a relationship or situation

is the standard ending word without the violent sudden argument image
bust-up
vsbreak
  • UK
7.1

A serious argument that ends a friendship or other relationship

is the neutral ending term without the specific quarrel focus

Antonyms

38 5.1

To become friendly again after a disagreement

Idioms

to make or break
  • Informal
26 4.5

Decide whether something is a complete success or failure

give me a break
  • Informal
22 7.9

Ask someone to stop criticizing or asking too much of you

to break a sweat
  • Informal
20 4.1

To start sweating from hard work or to need to try hard

to break a leg
  • Informal
15 6.3

To wish someone good luck before a performance

To cost a lot of money

To make a sound or speak after a time of silence

To do something in a new way instead of the usual way

To stop poverty passing from parents to children

To overcome barriers that stop women or minority groups getting higher jobs

1 7.9

A sudden time when many people lose control and chaos starts

1 5.4

Cause a huge rise in online attention and internet traffic

6.0

To work very hard at something until you are very tired

Have a first success after trying and failing

9.9

To fight strongly for a good cause in a brave, fair way

to break the buck
  • Literature
9.8

A money market fund's share price falls below one dollar

To do new or difficult things on purpose to learn and grow

To tease or nag someone in a way that annoys them

A phrase that says hurt to the body is worse than insults and words do not hurt

To look at the sky as the sun comes up

Compounds

tax break
  • Specialized
98 3.0

A smaller tax people or companies must pay to encourage certain activities

83 3.9

An illegal entry into a building to steal or damage things

81 2.0

A short vacation from school in spring, usually one week

big break
  • Informal
38 3.2

An important chance that helps a person become successful in their career

20 1.0

A short break from work to drink coffee or eat a small snack

tough break
  • Informal
19 5.8

An unlucky event that makes things harder for someone

lucky break
  • Informal
13 3.2

A sudden chance that helps you succeed

13 1.2

A short pause to use the toilet

clean break
  • Informal
12 3.9

A complete ending of a relationship or old life to start fresh

10 1.0

A holiday when schools and universities close for winter

fast break
  • Jargon
9 3.5

A quick attack where a team moves fast down the court to score before the defense sets up

4 1.0

The first light of morning when the sun rises

A solo street dance with fast acrobatic moves on the ground to hip-hop music

1 3.6

A solo street dance with quick acrobatic moves often done to hip-hop music

1 1.3

A short informal break at work to drink tea or another drink

1 4.5

Illegal access to a computer system to steal or damage data

bio-break
  • Informal
1 8.6

A short break to use the toilet or take care of personal needs

The first light of morning when the sun begins to appear

5.1

A game one player wins while the opponent is serving

break seal
  • Specialized
6.1

A seal that breaks when a package is opened to show if someone opened it

9.9

A tree from the West Indies with very hard wood used for building

4.1

A piece that has come away from a larger object, often suddenly

3.9

A short pause in an activity

4.3

An ending of a relationship or agreement, often sudden

3.7

A short pause to use the toilet or have a brief rest

A short pause from work to move, stretch, or rest

service break
  • Jargon
5.1

A game the player who is not serving wins in tennis

How Final

breakup
107 3.4
break
89 3.4
rift
34 5.4
split
9 4.2
disagreement
268 1.6

Surface Forms

break singular
breaks plural

Etymology

Break comes from an old English word brecan meaning 'to split' or 'separate'. A 'break' between people is a split or ending of the relationship.