Synonyms of break down

break down 1 of 2

verb

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

• classify
• rank
• distinguish
• group
• relegate
• grade
• type
• sort
• separate
• place
• distribute
• class
• categorize
• file
• digest
• list
• identify
• codify
• range
• organize
• recognize
• peg
• compartmentalize
• draw up
• refer
• order
• compartment
• catalog
• assort
• dispose
• index
• cull
• array
• systematize
• marshal
• alphabetize
• shelve
• sieve
• sift
• reclassify
• clump
• cluster
• pigeonhole
• winnow
• screen
• regroup
• set
• colligate
• recategorize
• subcategorize

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• mix (up)
• lump
• confuse
• scramble
• disarrange
• jumble
• misclassify
• mistype
• missort

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

• decompose
• disintegrate
• decay
• rot
• fall apart
• perish
• corrupt
• mold
• go to seed
• spoil
• fester
• deteriorate
• foul
• descend
• putrefy
• crumble
• turn
• turn off
• molder
• sour
• contaminate
• rust
• pollute
• taint
• ferment
• defile
• mortify
• curdle
• degenerate
• sink
• decline
• addle
• wither
• dilapidate

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• grow
• develop
• mature
• restore
• ripen
• age
• renew
• refresh
• improve
• better
• cleanse
• purify
• integrate
• compose
• assemble
• ameliorate
• meliorate

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

• analyze
• dissect
• examine
• assess
• diagnose
• cut
• investigate
• evaluate
• divide
• deconstruct
• anatomize
• inspect
• assay
• scrutinize
• sort
• index
• reduce
• catalog
• segment
• separate
• classify
• order
• codify
• arrange
• tabulate
• categorize
• enumerate
• subdivide
• schematize
• diagram
• assort

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• integrate
• consolidate
• aggregate
• synthesize
• conglomerate
• unify
• assimilate
• coalesce
• amalgamate
• agglomerate

4

as in to die

to stop functioning

the computer finally broke down and had to be replaced

Synonyms & Similar Words

• die
• crash
• fail
• cut out
• stall
• break
• give out
• conk (out)
• act up
• sputter
• jam
• wheeze
• fizzle
• malfunction

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• start (up)

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

• crack
• fall apart
• melt down
• lose it
• choke
• go to pieces
• break up
• flip (out)
• freak (out)
• wig (out)
• go off the deep end
• blow one's cool

6

as in to take down

to take apart

the crew was breaking down the party tent when we arrived

Synonyms & Similar Words

• take down
• knock down
• disconnect
• dismantle
• strike
• detach
• dismount
• disassemble
• dismember
• divide
• demount
• disengage
• separate
• break up
• disaggregate
• disunite
• disarticulate
• dissever
• disjoin
• disjoint

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• construct
• build
• assemble
• combine
• erect
• unite
• pitch

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

• shatter
• smash
• destroy
• demolish
• fracture
• tear down
• fragment
• crash
• split
• wreck
• ruin
• desolate
• crack
• waste
• vaporize
• total
• annihilate
• pulverize
• splinter
• crush
• snap
• shiver
• devastate
• bust
• decimate
• nuke
• wrack
• bash
• crunch

breakdown

2 of 2

noun

ˈbrāk-ˌdau̇n 

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

• nervous breakdown
• disturbance
• tailspin
• anxiety
• agitation
• excitability
• crack-up
• meltdown
• apprehension
• nervousness
• perturbation
• freak-out
• disquiet
• alarm
• basket case
• frazzle
• discomposure

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• composure
• coolness
• calmness
• tranquility
• serenity
• placidity
• aplomb
• imperturbability
• tranquilness
• sereneness
• self-possession

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

• decomposition
• decay
• fermentation
• spoilage
• rot
• putrefaction
• disintegration
• corruption
• crumbling
• festering
• putrescence
• dissolution
• souring
• curdling
• moldering

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• growth
• maturation
• ripening

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

• analysis
• inspection
• investigation
• examination
• assessment
• dissection
• evaluation
• anatomy
• deconstruction
• assay
• diagnosis
• anatomizing
• classification
• inventory
• categorization
• scrutiny
• codification
• tabulation
• cataloging
• arrangement
• reduction
• indexing
• assortment
• enumeration
• segmentation
• muster
• subdivision
• itemization
• separation
• division

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• synthesis
• integration
• consolidation
• aggregation
• unification
• assimilation
• amalgamation
• coalescence
• agglomeration
• conglomeration

Synonym Chooser

How is the word break down distinct from other similar verbs?

The words analyze and dissect are common synonyms of break down. While all three words mean "to divide a complex whole into its parts or elements," break down implies a reducing to simpler parts or divisions.

break down the budget

When is it sensible to use analyze instead of break down?

Although the words analyze and break down have much in common, analyze suggests separating or distinguishing the component parts of something (such as a substance, a process, a situation) so as to discover its true nature or inner relationships.

analyzed the collected data

When could dissect be used to replace break down?

While in some cases nearly identical to break down, dissect suggests a searching analysis by laying bare parts or pieces for individual scrutiny.

commentators dissected every word of the speech

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of break down

Verb

Will Bradley break down the defense and create a layup for Koa Peat or an open 3-pointer for Brayden Burries? —Jon Wilner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026

Delia Garcia, a former Kansas state labor secretary who said she has been mentored by Huerta for 26 years, broke down in tears when reached Wednesday for comment. —Suzanne Gamboa, NBC news, 18 Mar. 2026

Noun

However, exposure to high doses of radiation could damage the DNA and cause cellular breakdown, which could increase the risk of organ failure or cancer. —Bestreviews, Mercury News, 18 Mar. 2026

There were multiple breakdowns each day and sailors onboard were struggling to find a solution. —Steve Walsh, NPR, 17 Mar. 2026

Phrases Containing break down

• nervous breakdown