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
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of brakes
Alexei Oreskovic, Fortune, 30 Jan. 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, 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
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, 29 Jan. 2026
But Exxon soon after hit the brakes on the project and other cutting-edge tech, according to the lawsuit.
—Jc Reindl, Freep.com, 23 Jan. 2026
The car has also been equipped with modern anti-lock brakes and electronic stability control, with all the power sent to the rear wheels.
—Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 23 Jan. 2026
Do not let up on the brakes should this occur – maintain a firm foot on the pedal until the vehicle comes to a stop.
—Jim Gorzelany, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
This space allows time to stop safely if the other driver brakes suddenly.
—Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 23 Jan. 2026
Noun
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
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, 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
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, 29 Jan. 2026
But Exxon soon after hit the brakes on the project and other cutting-edge tech, according to the lawsuit.
—Jc Reindl, Freep.com, 23 Jan. 2026
The car has also been equipped with modern anti-lock brakes and electronic stability control, with all the power sent to the rear wheels.
—Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 23 Jan. 2026
Do not let up on the brakes should this occur – maintain a firm foot on the pedal until the vehicle comes to a stop.
—Jim Gorzelany, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
This space allows time to stop safely if the other driver brakes suddenly.
—Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 23 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brakes
Verb
-
Each year added to a project slows the creation of new homes, leaving individuals and families waiting longer for safe, stable, and affordable homes.—
Carlina Rivera,
New York Daily News,
31 Jan. 2026
-
The Golden State’s extreme reliance on the personal income tax means that when incomes are high in California, revenue collections are strong, but when the economy slows and incomes fall, state revenue weakens drastically too.—
Lanhee J. Chen,
Mercury News,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Carmel-by-the-Sea and its gallery scene are a short drive south, while Pacific Grove offers Victorian architecture and monarch butterfly groves.—
Audrey T. Williams,
Mercury News,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Outside are a kitchen, firepit, mature tree groves, ponds, a stream, meadows, and a heated driveway and sidewalks.—
The Week US,
TheWeek,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The property includes a three-car garage, a play structure, yards, woods, stone walls, a pond, and an outdoor fireplace.—
The Week US,
TheWeek,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Additionally, some African cultural and religious practices involved central objects that were sticks or trees, or occurred in natural spaces such as the woods.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Brakes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brakes. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
