break
- noun
- /breɪk/
- 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?
- Well, you may have just had a break up and instead of saying, why me?
- The break, the break of their friendship really hurt Einstein.
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
A strong disagreement that separates people in a group
A strong disagreement between groups that causes tension
The end of a relationship, often between romantic partners or groups
When married people stop living together but are not divorced
A failure in a system or relationship that stops it working properly
An end to a connection between people or groups
A serious break between people or groups that causes conflict
A disagreement that ends or weakens a relationship
A break in friendly relations between people or groups causing tension
The official ending of a group like a partnership or parliament
A complete ending of a relationship or old life to start fresh
When a group or society breaks into smaller parts and loses shared values
A serious break between people or groups that causes a lack of trust
An act of leaving a group suddenly to be on your own
A sudden end of an activity, relationship, or talk
The end of a romantic relationship, for example a breakup or divorce
A time when people or groups separate and go different ways
Breaking up an organized group like a band or army
An ending of a relationship or agreement, often sudden
A sudden strong argument that ends a relationship or situation
A serious argument that ends a friendship or other relationship
Antonyms
Idioms
To overcome barriers that stop women or minority groups getting higher jobs
- Informal
A sudden time when many people lose control and chaos starts
- Informal
To do new or difficult things on purpose to learn and grow
A phrase that says hurt to the body is worse than insults and words do not hurt
Compounds
- Specialized
A smaller tax people or companies must pay to encourage certain activities
- Jargon
A quick attack where a team moves fast down the court to score before the defense sets up
How Final
Surface Forms
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.