Phrase guide

break away

verb · 7 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

verb

Meaning 1

To leave suddenly.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • She was brought up in a very religious household, but broke away from the church in her teens.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To become separated, literally or figuratively.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • A chunk of rock broke away from the cliff edge.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

break off (a piece from a whole)

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • Her tooth chipped

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: chip, chip off, come off, break off

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: separate, divide, part

Narrower terms: peel off, peel, flake off, flake, exfoliate

4

verb

Meaning 4

move away or escape suddenly

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • The horses broke from the stable
  • Three inmates broke jail
  • Nobody can break out--this prison is high security

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: break, break out

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: escape, get away, break loose

5

verb

Meaning 5

flee; take to one's heels; cut and run

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • If you see this man, run!
  • The burglars escaped before the police showed up

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: scat, run, scarper, turn tail, lam, run away, hightail it, bunk, head for the hills, take to the woods, escape, fly the coop

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: leave, go forth, go away

Narrower terms: flee, fly, take flight, skedaddle

6

verb

Meaning 6

withdraw from an organization or communion

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • After the break up of the Soviet Union, many republics broke away

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: secede, splinter

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: separate, part, split up, split, break, break up

7

verb

Meaning 7

interrupt a continued activity

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • She had broken with the traditional patterns

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: break

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: separate, part, split up, split, break, break up

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

13 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: häipyä — to leave suddenly
  • Finnish: hävitä — to leave suddenly
  • German: ausbrechen — to leave suddenly
  • German: losmachen — to leave suddenly
  • Portuguese: fugir — to leave suddenly
  • Portuguese: escapar — to leave suddenly
  • Esperanto: forrompiĝi — to become separated
  • Finnish: irrota — to become separated
  • Finnish: erota — to become separated
  • Finnish: joutua eroon — to become separated
  • German: lösen — to become separated
  • German: ablösen — to become separated
  • Japanese: 脱却する (dakkyaku-suru) — to become separated