Antonyms for the phrase "were made up of" could include "were broken apart," "were separated," "were dismantled," or "were disassembled." These phrases suggest the opposite action of bringing things together to form a whole. Other antonyms could be "were scattered," "were dispersed," "were split," or "were segmented," all indicating a lack of unity or coherence. Conversely, "were formed," "were assembled," "were amalgamated," or "were merged" are synonyms that emphasize the process of joining together. Recognizing antonyms can be useful in refining language and conveying meaning more precisely in written and spoken communication.