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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
6
as in to take down
to take apart
the crew was breaking down the party tent when we arrived
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in nervous breakdown
a mental or nervous collapse
if you don't ease your workload, you're going to have a breakdown
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of break down
Brendan Rascius
july 11, Miami Herald, 11 July 2025
In his new editorial breaking down potential trade suitors for Watt, the Packers were firmly on the list.
—Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 July 2025
Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 12 July 2025
Hot pavement temperatures pose a risk to barefoot drivers in case of breakdowns or accidents.
—Laura Daniella Sepulveda, AZCentral.com, 12 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for break down
Verb
When broken down by partisan affiliation, the biggest shift came among Republicans, 48% of whom want immigration decreased, which is down from 88% in 2024.
—Brendan Rascius
july 11, Miami Herald, 11 July 2025
In his new editorial breaking down potential trade suitors for Watt, the Packers were firmly on the list.
—Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 July 2025
Noun
The budget proposes a nearly 34% decrease in science and technology funding, which is about $255 million, according to a budget breakdown.
—Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 12 July 2025
Hot pavement temperatures pose a risk to barefoot drivers in case of breakdowns or accidents.
—Laura Daniella Sepulveda, AZCentral.com, 12 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for break down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for break down
Verb
-
The information, classified as secret, pertained to military targets and Russian military capabilities, according to the plea agreement.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
14 July 2025
-
While their exact design and capabilities are classified, Keyhole satellites are believed to provide the sharpest images of any spy satellite in orbit.—
Robert Pearlman,
ArsTechnica,
11 July 2025
Verb
-
An American man who vanished weeks ago in Turks and Caicos is still presumed missing, despite the fact that a decomposing male body was found in the island paradise 10 days ago.—
Peter D'Abrosca,
FOXNews.com,
16 July 2025
-
What then starts is a roughly 30-day process where the body naturally decomposes and becomes nutrient-rich dirt.—
Alex Derosier,
Twin Cities,
16 July 2025
Verb
-
The researchers’ proof-of-concept exploit was able to tamper with deep neural network models used in machine learning for things like autonomous driving, healthcare applications, and medical imaging for analyzing MRI scans.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
14 July 2025
-
Intrigued, the team analyzed the DNA of the lizards from Dirgheswari Temple and looked closer at their physical features.—
Aspen Pflughoeft
July 14,
Miami Herald,
14 July 2025
Verb
-
In Gaza, though, no one knows precisely how many people have died, or what proportion were innocents; the Gaza Health Ministry, which is run by Hamas, maintains that more than half were women and children.—
Dexter Filkins,
New Yorker,
14 July 2025
-
The department’s homicide unit is investigating the death, as is the department’s protocol when someone dies while in custody.—
Teri Figueroa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 July 2025
Verb
-
While in court, he was forced to break open one of the bulbs, leaving one of them cracked.—
Cam'ron Hardy,
Chicago Tribune,
18 July 2025
-
In seven Open appearances, he's missed the cut three times and cracked the top 10 only once (T8 at St Andrews in 2022).—
Devlina Sarkar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 July 2025
Verb
-
If any bird of prey were going to take down a human, these would be the ones.—
Joshua Rapp Learn,
Smithsonian Magazine,
14 July 2025
-
The Celtics took down the New York Knicks 94-81 on Sunday to improve to 2-0 at the NBA’s Las Vegas Summer League.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
13 July 2025
Verb
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But the resulting scandal shatters her reputation, as well as that of Nina’s teenage daughter, Clara.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
People.com,
9 July 2025
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In those terrifying moments, Ryan shattered a window in a final attempt to get his family out.—
Alaa Elassar,
CNN Money,
6 July 2025
Noun
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But the high demands of a relentless industry proved too much and in late December 1964, Wilson suffered a nervous breakdown and stopped touring, becoming a full-time studio artist for the better part of more than a decade after that.—
Christina Maxouris,
CNN Money,
11 June 2025
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This looser, more straightforward approach works for the smaller scale and scope of Bottle Rocket, which begins with Luke Wilson’s Anthony leaving a voluntary treatment facility in Arizona after suffering a nervous breakdown.—
Shannon Carlin,
Time,
30 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Break down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/break%20down. Accessed 23 Jul. 2025.
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