break down 1 of 2

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as in to die
to stop functioning the computer finally broke down and had to be replaced

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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

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breakdown

2 of 2

noun

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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

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Examples of break down in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Be open to suggestions, break down costs and make decisions based on facts, figures and binding contracts. Eugenia Last, The Mercury News, 15 Oct. 2024 The presence of active suds is typically a good sign that your soap is breaking down grease to help lift food particles off the surface of your dishes. Katelyn Squiers, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Oct. 2024
Noun
Here's a breakdown of events: Thursday, Oct. 24: Sugar Maple will host Jake The Dog's cornhole competition, starting at 6 p.m. Jordyn Noennig, Journal Sentinel, 15 Oct. 2024 But there is no breakdown of those signature totals by legislative district. Mary Jo Pitzl, The Arizona Republic, 12 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for break down 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'break down.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Thesaurus Entries Near break down

break bread

break down

breakdown

Cite this Entry

“Break down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/break%20down. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

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