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
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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
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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
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6
as in to take down
to take apart
the crew was breaking down the party tent when we arrived
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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
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1
as in nervous breakdown
a mental or nervous collapse
if you don't ease your workload, you're going to have a breakdown
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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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of break down
Alex Weprin,
HollywoodReporter,
29 June 2026
Damages Aren’t One-Size-Fits-All Compensation categories in civil actions break down into economic, non-economic, and sometimes exemplary damages.
—
William Jones,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 June 2026
Allison Palmer
updated June 24,
Charlotte Observer,
24 June 2026
Against that backdrop, the selloff looks more like a valuation reset than a breakdown in the earnings story.
—
Tony Zhang,
CNBC,
24 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for break down
Verb
Below, The Hollywood Reporter breaks down the assets of each side of the split, and what companies could pursue deals.
—
Alex Weprin,
HollywoodReporter,
29 June 2026
Damages Aren’t One-Size-Fits-All Compensation categories in civil actions break down into economic, non-economic, and sometimes exemplary damages.
—
William Jones,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 June 2026
Noun
Peptide therapies and advanced longevity protocols also appear on these menus as premium line items, though the science and regulation behind them sit outside the scope of a pricing breakdown.
—
Allison Palmer
updated June 24,
Charlotte Observer,
24 June 2026
Against that backdrop, the selloff looks more like a valuation reset than a breakdown in the earnings story.
—
Tony Zhang,
CNBC,
24 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for break down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for break down
Verb
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Companies need to have an airtight hold on their own sourcing data—an understanding not only of where the materials and inputs are coming from, but how to substantiate their claims and classify customs entries with precision.
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Gambling disorder is now classified in the same section in the DSM as substance abuse disorders because of the similarities in clinical presentation and treatment.
Verb
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Every project should be decomposed into tasks, with explicit categorization of which are human, AI or hybrid.
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The owners of Davis Mortuary in Pueblo have been arrested, accused in connection with the investigation that was sparked by last year's discovery of decomposing bodies behind a barricaded door at the mortuary.
Verb
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This article was generated by the Bay Area Home Report Bot, software that analyzes home sales or other data and creates an article based on a template created by humans.
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Detectives are continuing an investigation that began weeks ago, Azarcon said, and are analyzing evidence to see whether the six are linked to additional crimes.
Verb
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Ramsay, a mother of four, including Dylan, has become someone grieving families often call when their child dies in the water.
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Mark Hill died in 2019, at the untimely age of 59.
Verb
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Dua Lipa just wants to get the world to crack open a book.
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Three of those have cracked the top 10.
Verb
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Now, in his campaign for Congress, Lyman wants to take down the establishment, limit the federal government, bolster rural viability and increase transparency, especially around elections.
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The company stated that DroneLight can take down a single drone in just one to two seconds.
Verb
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Many windows are shattered or boarded over with decaying plywood.
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Hundreds of records have already been shattered, with more expected as the heat intensifies today through Thursday.
Noun
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Some people in Caracas and surrounding areas suffered nervous breakdowns following the events of Wednesday afternoon, compounded by warnings that their homes might collapse.
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Decades later, some of the biggest criticisms of Communion are arguably among its most charming virtues, from Walken's idiosyncratic performance as a man on the verge of a nervous breakdown to the cheesy special effects.
Cite this Entry
“Break down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/break%20down. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.
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