1
as in to classify
to arrange or assign according to type
when presented with the pile of files, the first thing he did was to break them down by month, order within the month, and region
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to decompose
to go through decomposition
the enamel of a human tooth will begin to break down when exposed to sugar for too long
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to analyze
to identify and examine the basic elements or parts of (something) especially for discovering interrelationships
if we break the problem down into what appear to be three aspects of it, we'll have a better chance of solving it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to die
to stop functioning
the computer finally broke down and had to be replaced
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in to crack
to yield to mental or emotional stress
began to break down when he realized that he was on the verge of bankruptcy
Synonyms & Similar Words
6
as in to take down
to take apart
the crew was breaking down the party tent when we arrived
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in to shatter
to cause to break with violence and much noise
firefighters had to break down the wall to rescue the kitten
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in nervous breakdown
a mental or nervous collapse
if you don't ease your workload, you're going to have a breakdown
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in decomposition
the process by which dead organic matter separates into simpler substances
the breakdown of the body was arrested by the embalming process
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in analysis
the separation and identification of the parts of a whole
the boss wanted a detailed breakdown of the sales figures
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of break down
FOXNews.com, 2 May 2025
During exercise, phosphocreatine is broken down and used to generate adenosine triphosphate (ATP), your body's main energy source.
—Elizabeth Barnes, Verywell Health, 2 May 2025
Greg Norman, FOXNews.com, 29 Apr. 2025
Katy Perry’s emotional breakdown wasn’t just about being teased for going to space.
—Ashley Case, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for break down
Verb
Steve Doocy announces new coast-to-coast hosting role MAJOR HEADLINES
MIXED ‘SIGNAL’ – Vance breaks down why Trump official was removed then got 'promotion' just hours later.
—FOXNews.com, 2 May 2025
During exercise, phosphocreatine is broken down and used to generate adenosine triphosphate (ATP), your body's main energy source.
—Elizabeth Barnes, Verywell Health, 2 May 2025
Noun
The massive power outage that wreaked havoc in Europe is being blamed on a pair of likely solar plant breakdowns in southwest Spain, a report said.
—Greg Norman, FOXNews.com, 29 Apr. 2025
Katy Perry’s emotional breakdown wasn’t just about being teased for going to space.
—Ashley Case, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for break down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for break down
Verb
-
How Businesses Can Remain Compliant Governance platforms and compliance partners focus on helping any business, from enterprises to startups, to monitor, identify, classify and ensure that AI is built in accordance to the new EU AI Act.—
Jessica Mendoza,
Forbes.com,
25 Apr. 2025
-
Of the 23 players in the squad that have made 11 or more league appearances this season, nine (almost 40 per cent) can be classified as long-distance internationals.—
Andy Naylor,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Clogged Drains On the other hand, a smelly drain that gets frequent use may have a clog or decomposing matter in the pipes.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
27 Apr. 2025
-
Over time, mulch materials break down and decompose.—
Maryal Miller Carter,
USA Today,
25 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Cities like Los Angeles and Memphis continue using predictive policing AI to analyze crime patterns and allocate resources.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
3 May 2025
-
But the tools used to collect and analyze that data today, including the AI cameras at Sam’s Club, have become more sophisticated.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
2 May 2025
Verb
-
Steven Burns is about to get another chance to convince commissioners that the same man who left Catina to die that night, is a changed man.—
Erin Moriarty, Liza Finley,
CBS News,
4 May 2025
-
After her victory, France paid tribute to her son Henry, who died from leukemia last year.—
Hilary Whiteman,
CNN Money,
4 May 2025
Verb
-
Her case cracked the door open for other young talent to skip college entirely, but in reality, college soccer is still a key pipeline despite its changing landscape.—
Meg Linehan,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2025
-
Short passwords — think six or eight characters — can be cracked in minutes by modern hacking tools.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
26 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Kharun also managed to take down the Pro Swim Series record of 23.11 set by Australian swimmer Matt Targett in 2012.—
Paras J. Haji,
Forbes.com,
3 May 2025
-
With Principal Rooney hellbent on taking down his latest lie, will Bueller play hooky like a pro or make a rookie mistake?—
Harrison Richlin,
IndieWire,
3 May 2025
Verb
-
Public trust has been shattered, and a change was needed so the system can begin to rebuild.—
Kaitlin McCallum,
Hartford Courant,
28 Apr. 2025
-
Tobias is shattered by the negative response, but Gabin’s aggression doesn’t do anything to pull Tobias together.—
Oliver Sava,
Vulture,
25 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
That ethical dodge — congratulating modern progress, ignoring this era’s nervous breakdown — is the basic, political, insensitive reason that contemporary Hollywood cannot create love stories.—
Armond White,
National Review,
25 Apr. 2025
-
The tale of a narcissistic corporate executive (Dern) whose nervous breakdown yields a convenient spiritual awakening, the show positions its protagonist in the morally fraught role of a whistle-blower doing the right thing for selfish reasons.—
Charlie Campbell,
TIME,
24 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Break down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/break%20down. Accessed 9 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share