break in 1 of 2

Definition of break innext
1
as in to invade
to enter a house or building by force usually with illegal intent the burglars broke in by smashing a window

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in to interrupt
to cause a disruption in a conversation or discussion he rudely broke in to drop the names of several celebrities that he had met

Synonyms & Similar Words

break-in

2 of 2

noun

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 break in
Verb
Off a bad change by the B’s, Timo Meier broke in alone but Korpisalo thwarted his first shot and just managed to get his pad down to smother Meier’s follow-up. Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 17 Mar. 2026 For a safer outdoor work environment, follow the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)'s guidance by scheduling regular rest breaks in shaded or air-conditioned places. Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 17 Mar. 2026
Noun
The supple suede makes the soft loafer even more comfortable than the rigid leather loafers that dominated last fall, which often require a break-in period. Ana Serrano, Glamour, 26 Feb. 2026 The car burglaries are the second vehicle break-in incident at the Ford plant this year, Coonce said. Kansas City Star, 26 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for break in
Recent Examples of Synonyms for break in
Verb
  • Penn's support for Ukraine dates back to 2022 Penn has long advocated for Ukraine and even gifted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy an Oscar in 2022, shortly after Russia invaded Ukraine and the two countries went to war.
    Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 16 Mar. 2026
  • If China attempted to invade Taiwan, these missiles could hit Chinese amphibious fleets and/or attack escorting warships.
    Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 15 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • This time, disruptions to shipping routes are interrupting those flows and that reduces the amount of money flowing back into financial markets, removing a key source of cash flows, the bank noted.
    Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 18 Mar. 2026
  • The most practical way to interrupt the cycle is to replace the fear with a more accurate reading of reality.
    Big Think, Big Think, 18 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Leon Sweeting, 50, had been in jail for three months on burglary charges.
    Itay Hod, CBS News, 18 Mar. 2026
  • Nickelodeon and Netflix alum Chris O’Neal was arrested on a felony charge this week in connection with a Malibu burglary.
    Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 18 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Left fielder Mark Collins robs Galloway of a hit with a diving catch.
    Caleb Yum, Austin American Statesman, 20 Mar. 2026
  • Eighteen-year-old Davonte Jordan was in court on Thursday charged with robbing an elderly woman at gunpoint in Boston's Charlestown neighborhood on Wednesday in broad daylight.
    Mike Sullivan, CBS News, 19 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • No cuts in 2026 — or even a hike?
    Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 16 Mar. 2026
  • Zumwinkle darted along the left wall, cut in along the goal line and flicked a shot behind goaltended Kayle Osborne that deflected off the crossbar and into the net to give Minnesota a 1-0 lead just past the midway point in the first period.
    ABC News, ABC News, 15 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The switch caused a brief holdup, but the deal was agreed upon on Saturday afternoon.
    Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Feb. 2026
  • With holdups at home, investors are exploring buildouts abroad, including in the energy-rich Gulf states.
    Jared Cohen, Time, 18 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • An immigrant delivery man bashed unconscious during a botched four-on-one Manhattan mugging died of his injuries months later, cops said Sunday.
    Rebecca White, New York Daily News, 15 Feb. 2026
  • That was the only way to see countries' delegations backflipping and mean-mugging from places like Cortina and Livigno, sort of alternating with the parade in Milan.
    Pien Huang, NPR, 6 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Break in.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/break%20in. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.

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