as in bushes
a thick patch of shrubbery, small trees, or underbrush
built a small shelter in the brake to watch for deer
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
as in slows
to cause to move or proceed at a less rapid pace
braked the car sharply when someone pulled out in front of us
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of brakes
Amy J. Sheer, The Conversation, 5 Feb. 2026
The other possibility is that there is rust on the brakes that has not worn off.
—John Paul Senior Manager Public Affairs and Traffic Safety Aaa Northeast, Hartford Courant, 5 Feb. 2026
In addition, the federal agency says Chrysler is calling back certain Mopar tow trailer modules that also have trailer tow modules with trailer lights that may not light up and trailer brakes that may fail.
—February 5, CBS News, 5 Feb. 2026
Then Goodell pumped the brakes on a full investigation of the matter and on Tisch possibly facing discipline under the league’s personal conduct policy.
—Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 3 Feb. 2026
Brake gently as needed - Brake normally if the vehicle has anti-lock brakes and pump brakes gently if in an older vehicle.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 1 Feb. 2026
Brake gently as needed - Brake normally if the vehicle has anti-lock brakes and pump brakes gently if in an older vehicle.
—Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 31 Jan. 2026
The driverless Waymo, which was traveling at 17 miles per hour, quickly hit the brakes and collided with the child at a speed of roughly 6 miles per hour (Waymo claimed in its blog post that a human driver in the same situation would have only had time to slow to 14 mph).
—Alexei Oreskovic, Fortune, 30 Jan. 2026
Drivers cruising on Kansas City’s Main Street will need to steer clear of the new transit-only lanes or face a fine, as the city puts the brakes on unauthorized cars in streetcar and bus lanes.
—Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 29 Jan. 2026
Noun
The body interprets weight loss as a threat to survival and responds by slamming the brakes on metabolism through sophisticated energy-conserving mechanisms.
—Amy J. Sheer, The Conversation, 5 Feb. 2026
The other possibility is that there is rust on the brakes that has not worn off.
—John Paul Senior Manager Public Affairs and Traffic Safety Aaa Northeast, Hartford Courant, 5 Feb. 2026
In addition, the federal agency says Chrysler is calling back certain Mopar tow trailer modules that also have trailer tow modules with trailer lights that may not light up and trailer brakes that may fail.
—February 5, CBS News, 5 Feb. 2026
Then Goodell pumped the brakes on a full investigation of the matter and on Tisch possibly facing discipline under the league’s personal conduct policy.
—Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 3 Feb. 2026
Brake gently as needed - Brake normally if the vehicle has anti-lock brakes and pump brakes gently if in an older vehicle.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 1 Feb. 2026
Brake gently as needed - Brake normally if the vehicle has anti-lock brakes and pump brakes gently if in an older vehicle.
—Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 31 Jan. 2026
The driverless Waymo, which was traveling at 17 miles per hour, quickly hit the brakes and collided with the child at a speed of roughly 6 miles per hour (Waymo claimed in its blog post that a human driver in the same situation would have only had time to slow to 14 mph).
—Alexei Oreskovic, Fortune, 30 Jan. 2026
Drivers cruising on Kansas City’s Main Street will need to steer clear of the new transit-only lanes or face a fine, as the city puts the brakes on unauthorized cars in streetcar and bus lanes.
—Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 29 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brakes
Verb
-
Anything that drags creates friction and slows you down.—
Jayson Jenks,
New York Times,
8 Feb. 2026
-
When activity slows, buyers become cautious.—
Allen Buchanan,
Oc Register,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Recently listed with Savills for €36 million (about $42 million), the sprawling property doesn’t just have a grand residence but also an authentic castle, along with a consecrated 12th-century church, its own vineyard, and olive groves.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
30 Jan. 2026
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In Santa Cruz, researchers and conservationists also deployed ultralight radio tags to better understand how butterflies move between overwintering groves, information that could help improve how overwintering habitat is managed.—
Meg Tanaka,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The team worked alongside local artisans to preserve frescoes and medieval details while layering in aromatic woods, soft carpets, vibrant wool blankets, and rusty-hued velvet couches.—
Jenn Rice,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Feb. 2026
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Thousands of Princeton undergraduates took it upon themselves to search the nearby woods, despite official concerns about contaminating potential evidence.—
Kase Wickman,
Vanity Fair,
7 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Brakes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brakes. Accessed 10 Feb. 2026.
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