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
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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
-
According to the plan, the parade would be classified as a national special security event, and that request has been submitted by the National Park Service and is under review.—
Lolita C. Baldor,
Los Angeles Times,
2 May 2025
-
Boys of Summer is classified as a fougère, a classically masculine scent categorized by herbaceous top notes (usually lavender), a floral heart, and a green, woody base.—
Ariel Wodarcyk,
Glamour,
2 May 2025
Verb
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Communities also found decomposing bodies floating past their homes, leaders said.—
Megan Janetsky,
Los Angeles Times,
5 May 2025
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Inside the home, authorities found the 70-year-old’s body dismembered and decomposing in 14 plastic bags, police said.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
18 Apr. 2025
Verb
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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
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After her victory, France paid tribute to her son Henry, who died from leukemia last year.—
Hilary Whiteman,
CNN Money,
4 May 2025
-
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
Verb
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This offbeat, easygoing ride includes stops to sample tropical fruits (freshly cracked coconut, mangoes, and key limes), facts and sightings of tropical flora, and cruises down side streets showcasing Key West’s diverse residential architecture (Shotgun, Bahamian, and Conch-style).—
Kelsey Glennon,
Southern Living,
8 May 2025
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However, inconsistent land motion–like what researchers observed in Houston–can crack and destabilize buildings, foundations, and infrastructure.—
Laura Baisas,
Popular Science,
8 May 2025
Verb
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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
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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
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His family confirmed his identity in a GoFundMe fundraiser, which has so far raised upwards of $35,000 to support his family, shattering its $5,000 goal.—
Jessica Schladebeck,
New York Daily News,
10 May 2025
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O’Brien ranks 22nd in NCAA history in career caused turnovers with 160, which shatters Lacey Leigh Hentz’s previous school record of 146.—
Edward Lee,
Baltimore Sun,
10 May 2025
Noun
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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
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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 13 May. 2025.
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