Synonyms of breaks
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as in disrupts 
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as in stops
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as in reduces
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as in deciphers
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as in pauses
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as in plows
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as in violates
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as in solves
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as in damages
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as in dies
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as in retreats
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as in wears
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as in circulates
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as in bankrupts
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as in begins
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as in veers
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as in lowers
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as in exceeds
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as in surfaces
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as in lulls
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as in vacations
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as in gaps
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as in opportunities
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as in accidents
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as in escapes
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Example Sentences
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Entries Near
1
as in disrupts
to cause to separate into pieces usually suddenly or forcibly
hated telling her that I had broken her favorite glass vase
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2
as in stops
to bring (as an action or operation) to an immediate end
the final vote broke the deadlock
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3
as in reduces
to bring to a lower grade or rank
the captain was broken to lieutenant commander for disobeying a direct order from his group commander
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4
as in deciphers
to change (as a secret message) from code into ordinary language
Alan Turing and the Bletchley Park mathematicians broke the Enigma code being used by the Nazis
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5
as in pauses
to come to a temporary halt in one's activity
she broke from her ruminations to find that it was already dinnertime
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6
7
as in violates
to fail to keep
had to confess that he had broken his promise not to share their conversation with anyone
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8
as in solves
to find an answer for through reasoning
Professor Bates broke the problem when she realized that it was possible to synthesize the necessary compounds
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9
as in damages
to reduce the soundness, effectiveness, or perfection of
I broke a tooth on the hard candy
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10
as in dies
to stop functioning
after working for 30 years, the pump simply broke one day
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11
as in retreats
to hasten away from something dangerous or frightening
the herd of gazelles broke when they saw the lions racing toward them from the ridge above
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12
as in wears
to use up all the physical energy of
the trek up the mountain just about broke me
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13
as in circulates
to become known
as soon as the scandal broke, the CEO fled the country
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14
as in bankrupts
to cause to lose one's fortune and become unable to pay one's debts
another bad investment could break him
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15
as in begins
to come into existence
the crisis had passed, and a new day was breaking
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16
as in veers
to depart abruptly from a straight line or course
the running back broke to his left before running out of bounds
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17
as in lowers
to diminish the price or value of
distressing economic news that will break many energy stocks
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18
as in exceeds
to go beyond the limit of
a menu with prices that is likely to break the budgets of all but the wealthiest of diners
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1
as in lulls
a momentary halt in an activity
there was a brief break after the first movement as the doors to the concert hall were opened and the latecomers were allowed in
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2
as in vacations
a period during which the usual routine of school or work is suspended
most of the students at the boarding school are going home for Christmas break
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3
as in gaps
an open space in a barrier (as a wall or hedge)
the rancher repaired the break in the fence where the horse had gotten through
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4
5
as in accidents
an unexpected benefit or advantage resulting from the uncertain course of events
a guy who just seems to get all the breaks in life
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6
as in escapes
the act or an instance of getting free from danger or confinement
a desperate break from that hellhole
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of breaks
Caroline Carlson, Literary Hub, 2 Feb. 2026
Be prepared that this show breaks the fourth wall, with performers combing the crowd and tossing balloons about.
—Rob Hubbard, Twin Cities, 1 Feb. 2026
When CatRat breaks the rainbow, and Gabby and her cats must find the colors again.
—Caroline Ritzie, Cincinnati Enquirer, 1 Feb. 2026
Free Press personal finance columnist Susan Tompor breaks it down here.
—Leah Olajide, Freep.com, 1 Feb. 2026
The Sharks have two more chances to pick up points before the NHL breaks for nearly a month to allow many of its players to pursue Olympic gold in Milan.
—Christian Babcock, Mercury News, 1 Feb. 2026
Any organization that breaks the law would be permanently barred from receiving any state or local funding, and any employee who knowingly participates in or directs a violation of the law would be guilty of a felony.
—Ari Fife, The Frontier, 31 Jan. 2026
As the vehicle pulls away, Pretti kicks and breaks one of its rear taillights.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 30 Jan. 2026
And just seeing the damage there just breaks my heart.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 9 Jan. 2026
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 31 Jan. 2026
The Yum Brands restaurant chain is not expected to appear in ad breaks during pre-game programming on NBC, according to two people familiar with the matter.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 30 Jan. 2026
The five-year average for January water main breaks is 79, according to Public Works.
—Everett Eaton, jsonline.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Not financial debt—operational liabilities that compound slowly, stay off the dashboard, and surface only when performance plateaus or something breaks.
—Mark Murphy, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
That could include exercising and eating healthy, meeting with a support group, and scheduling breaks throughout the day to avoid overexerting yourself.
—Carrie Madormo, Health, 30 Jan. 2026
Most important is to listen to your body, bundle up in multiple layers and take frequent breaks to reduce stress on the body.
—Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 30 Jan. 2026
In temperatures of 13 to 31 degrees, take indoor breaks every 20 to 30 minutes.
—Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 30 Jan. 2026
The risk of water main breaks remains high.
—Cutter Martin, CBS News, 30 Jan. 2026
Verb
When Leo breaks his leg and Pia is allowed into the wider world to take over his shady delivery business, Pia begins to ask questions about her family’s past and the secrets her father may be hiding.
—Caroline Carlson, Literary Hub, 2 Feb. 2026
Be prepared that this show breaks the fourth wall, with performers combing the crowd and tossing balloons about.
—Rob Hubbard, Twin Cities, 1 Feb. 2026
When CatRat breaks the rainbow, and Gabby and her cats must find the colors again.
—Caroline Ritzie, Cincinnati Enquirer, 1 Feb. 2026
Free Press personal finance columnist Susan Tompor breaks it down here.
—Leah Olajide, Freep.com, 1 Feb. 2026
The Sharks have two more chances to pick up points before the NHL breaks for nearly a month to allow many of its players to pursue Olympic gold in Milan.
—Christian Babcock, Mercury News, 1 Feb. 2026
Any organization that breaks the law would be permanently barred from receiving any state or local funding, and any employee who knowingly participates in or directs a violation of the law would be guilty of a felony.
—Ari Fife, The Frontier, 31 Jan. 2026
As the vehicle pulls away, Pretti kicks and breaks one of its rear taillights.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 30 Jan. 2026
And just seeing the damage there just breaks my heart.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 9 Jan. 2026
Noun
Two years later came a series of fortunate breaks.
—Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 31 Jan. 2026
The Yum Brands restaurant chain is not expected to appear in ad breaks during pre-game programming on NBC, according to two people familiar with the matter.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 30 Jan. 2026
The five-year average for January water main breaks is 79, according to Public Works.
—Everett Eaton, jsonline.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Not financial debt—operational liabilities that compound slowly, stay off the dashboard, and surface only when performance plateaus or something breaks.
—Mark Murphy, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
That could include exercising and eating healthy, meeting with a support group, and scheduling breaks throughout the day to avoid overexerting yourself.
—Carrie Madormo, Health, 30 Jan. 2026
Most important is to listen to your body, bundle up in multiple layers and take frequent breaks to reduce stress on the body.
—Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 30 Jan. 2026
In temperatures of 13 to 31 degrees, take indoor breaks every 20 to 30 minutes.
—Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 30 Jan. 2026
The risk of water main breaks remains high.
—Cutter Martin, CBS News, 30 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for breaks
Verb
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Continue reading … POLITICS ACCESS DENIED – SpaceX CEO Elon Musk disrupts Russian operations in Ukraine with single move.—
,
FOXNews.com,
2 Feb. 2026
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Hovering over desks or listening in on private conversations makes the workplace feel intrusive and disrupts workers’ sense of privacy and comfort.—
Orianna Rosa Royle,
Fortune,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
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After the initial stomach issues subside, the toxin continues to invade the liver cells and stops them from making RNA (ribonucleic acid), which the body needs to make healing and protective proteins.—
Amy McGorry,
FOXNews.com,
26 Jan. 2026
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In turn, breathing nearly stops, and its brain activity becomes barely detectable.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
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According to the company, this reduces inventory burdens, streamlines logistics, and shortens installation timelines.—
Dianne Plummer,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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This greatly reduces environmental concerns related to legacy waste.—
Chris Young,
Interesting Engineering,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Qualcomm’s chip can run Linux, along with Arduino software, and can even do computer vision, which deciphers what a camera sees and translates it into software.—
Kif Leswing,
CNBC,
7 Oct. 2025
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With that base knowledge and his opponent’s game tape, Nolan analyzes wide receiver alignments and deciphers the offense's attack.—
Caleb Yum,
Austin American Statesman,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
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But due to a combination of legal battles, policy decisions, and administrative challenges, there are now three major student loan pauses in effect, impacting millions of borrowers.—
Adam S. Minsky,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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Plan pauses, since pacing keeps your fire bright.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The mayor said that crews would begin salting neighborhoods in every borough as soon as snow started falling, and that plows would start rolling out in the city once there was more than 2 inches of snow on the ground.—
Chantelle Lee,
Time,
26 Jan. 2026
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Snow plows and salt spreaders were out throughout the Chicago area early Sunday morning with the snow falling, working on all corners of the city to keep the streets safe.—
Adam Harrington,
CBS News,
25 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The complaint argues that federal officers’ use of chemical munitions and excessive force represents retaliation against protesters, which violates their First Amendment rights.—
Landon Mion,
FOXNews.com,
4 Feb. 2026
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Letting Thwaites collapse arguably violates the Antarctic Treaty System’s environmental-preservation clause, Minchew said.—
Christian Elliott,
The Atlantic,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Seek’s application for potassium permanganate solves a nagging issue for the denim industry, but the flexibility of the organic bleaching system is wide reaching.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
26 Jan. 2026
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The person who quietly solves a critical problem looks less valuable than the one sending three status updates a day about trivial progress.—
Andy Molinsky,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Breaks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/breaks. Accessed 5 Feb. 2026.
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