Phrase guide

come apart

verb · 4 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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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

verb

Meaning 1

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see come, apart.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To break, separate.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: intransitive

Examples

  • The jigsaw puzzle will come apart if you try to pick it up.
  • My old clothes are all coming apart.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: come undone

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

To have an emotional breakdown; to become emotionally dysfunctional; to have an intense emotional reaction.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: intransitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: come undone

Antonyms: none provided

4

verb

Meaning 4

become separated into pieces or fragments

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • The figurine broke
  • The freshly baked loaf fell apart

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: break, separate, split up, fall apart

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: change integrity

Narrower terms: burst, split, break open, puncture, bust, smash, ladder, run, snap, crack, break up, fragment, fragmentize, fragmentise, crush

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

2 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • French: se défaire — to separate itself
  • Welsh: dod yn ddarnau — to separate itself