ENGLISH
REFERENCE

breakaway

n. countable
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈbɹeɪkəˌweɪ// UK //bɹˈeɪkəwˌeɪ// break·away

n. the act of leaving a group or organization to start something new and independent. You use this when a smaller group decides they no longer want to be part of the main one.

n. the act of separating from a larger group, organization, or political entity to form an independent unit. Often used to describe political factions, sports leagues, or religious groups.


SIMPLE

The small group formed a breakaway party after the election.

CONTEXTUAL

Several clubs threatened to form a breakaway league if their demands for more revenue were not met by the national association.

COMPLEX

The region's breakaway movement gained significant momentum following the collapse of the central government, leading to a decade of diplomatic tension regarding its unrecognized sovereignty.

Synonyms
Origin

From break + away, a deverbal from break away.

Usage

Often used as a modifier before another noun, such as 'breakaway group' or 'breakaway region'.

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