to come apart

Examples

• All

• So actually these Wind Force GB cards come apart really easily.

• This place is coming apart.

  Dead Space: Aftermath (2011)

• Most of these will come apart into multiple pieces.

• So when it came apart originally, this glass did pop out.

• So then these come apart nicely.

• Society is coming apart at the seams, okay?

  Other Voices (2000)

• Many of them wore fabric clothes that were coming apart at the seams.

  Fiction book (1994)

• Then the chromosomes come apart, the two nuclei separate, and the double cell once again becomes two.

  Academic text (2002)

• The ship's coming apart.

  All Star Superman (2011)

• The old toy began to come apart after years of rough play.

Synonyms

B

to break

vsto come apart

∞ 1.0

To change a large bill into smaller bills

often happens without explicit force and implies a natural separation

T

to tear

vsto come apart

∞ 1.0

To pull something so it breaks into pieces

involves a pulling action while key is broader and can be passive

S

to split

vsto come apart

452 1.3

To break something into two or more parts

often means dividing into parts rather than breaking into many fragments

S

to separate

vsto come apart

372 1.9

To break into parts or pieces

is broader and can mean division without breaking into pieces

P

to part

vsto come apart

243 2.9

To separate and move in different directions after being together

usually refers to people or groups separating rather than physical fragmentation

F

to fall apart

vsto come apart

243 2.8

To break into pieces or stop working properly

refers more to breaking into pieces rather than failing in function

B

to break up

vsto come apart

162 2.7

Separate something into smaller pieces

can be caused intentionally to divide while key can happen without intent

C

to crumble

vsto come apart

158 3.4

To break into small pieces or become weaker and collapse

is more about gradual weakening and collapse rather than sudden splitting

S

to shatter

vsto come apart

145 2.8

To break suddenly into many small pieces, like glass

is more general and does not require a sudden violent breaking

S

to split up

vsto come apart

125 2.6

To divide something into smaller parts

is mainly used for division into groups rather than physical fragmentation

R

to rupture

vsto come apart

92 6.8

To break open suddenly and violently

is sudden and violent whereas key covers general separation not only bursts

B

to break off

vsto come apart

71 2.8

To make a piece come away from something by hitting or bending it

focuses on a part detaching whereas key covers full separation into pieces

U

to unravel

vsto come apart

53 4.3

To come apart into threads, like a rope or cloth

is specific to threads and textiles rather than general breaking

D

to disintegrate

vsto come apart

50 5.8

Fall apart into smaller pieces or stop working together

often involves decay or loss of cohesion rather than simple separation

B

to break apart

vsto come apart

46 3.0

To separate into pieces, for example a machine or a group

happens on its own rather than being forcefully caused

S

to splinter

vsto come apart

20 3.9

To break into many small, sharp pieces like wood or glass

is broader and not limited to forming tiny sharp pieces

F

to fragment

vsto come apart

18 3.7

To break into small pieces or make something break apart

emphasizes many small pieces while key denotes general separation

D

to detach

vsto come apart

9 4.0

To come apart from something it is connected to

often means losing attachment rather than breaking into pieces

B

to break away

vsto come apart

7 3.5

To come off a larger thing, often because of force or damage

emphasizes moving away as a unit rather than falling into fragments

C

to come apart at the seams

vsto come apart

• Informal

5 7.2

To fall apart or stop working properly after being stable

describes total collapse after stability rather than simple physical separation

U

to uncouple

vsto come apart

5 5.3

To disconnect two things that are joined, often machine parts

refers to detaching joined parts rather than falling into fragments

D

to dissever

vsto come apart

• Formal

1 9.9

To cut or separate something into parts, often by breaking it

is formal and deliberate whereas key is general physical or accidental separation

C

to come undone

vsto come apart

• Informal

5.3

To begin to fail, fall apart, or lose control

often means failing emotionally or structurally rather than physical fragmentation

Antonyms

H

to hold together

170 3.4

Keep parts or people joined and working as one

How Broken

to shatter

145 2.8

to disintegrate

50 5.8

to come apart

50 3.1

to split

452 1.3

to crack

327 1.0

Surface Forms

Morphology

Etymology