break in 1 of 2

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

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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
Cincinnati police arrested six minors as young as 12 after a spate of car break-ins Downtown this weekend. David Ferrara, The Enquirer, 27 Aug. 2025 The foam footbed stood out during testing for its cloudlike comfort, which felt nice right out of the box with no break-in period. Jackie Cucco, Travel + Leisure, 23 Aug. 2025
Noun
Following a one-week break in its schedule, the UFC is back on Saturday, September 6, with the UFC Paris fight card. Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025 Despite the odd breaks in the game, Nakase credited the crowd for keeping the energy high. Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 1 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for break-in
Recent Examples of Synonyms for break-in
Verb
  • In August 2024, Kyiv's troops sprang one of the biggest surprises of the war against invading Russian forces by invading the Kursk region, across Ukraine's northern border.
    Robert Birsel Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
  • Although World War II began in Europe in 1939, some historians say fighting in East Asia was ongoing as far back as 1931 when Japan invaded China's northeastern region of Manchuria.
    Jan Camenzind Broomby, NPR, 2 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Recently published studies about people affected by the Maui and Los Angeles fires showed that beyond affecting heart and lung function and interrupting access to medical care, these climate disasters have led to higher rates of depression and even suicide.
    Lahari Vuppaladhadiam, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Chris and Emilia’s conversation is suddenly interrupted by a premature explosion, which was caused by a clumsy member of a militia group called the Sons of Liberty.
    Scott Meslow, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • His convictions in the county date back almost 40 years, starting with a burglary in 1986.
    Chris Spargo, People.com, 3 Sep. 2025
  • In Simpson’s April 2023 indictment, prosecutors cited prior convictions for burglary, robbery and assault as reasons for their pursuing a sentencing enhancement.
    Quinlan Bentley, The Enquirer, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • For Christians, the Bible is the word of God, and turning that word into short-form viral content robs it of its power.
    Geoff Brumfiel, NPR, 7 Sep. 2025
  • But 1976 had nobody — and not even anybody, in fairness, who can feel particularly ‘robbed’ of an England cap.
    Michael Cox, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Over the summer, Vance helped shepherd the tax cut and spending law to passage, again casting the deciding vote on legislation that had lost GOP support over Medicaid cuts in his capacity as president of the Senate.
    Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 29 Aug. 2025
  • Summary Market interest rates have not responded to the past three interest rate cuts in the way policy makers at the Federal Reserve intended.
    George Calhoun, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • The slain suspect, Lahione Soto, is suspected in a string of nearby holdups in the minutes leading up to the shooting, police sources said.
    Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 18 Aug. 2025
  • Nate wants to keep Polly safe, but that also means introducing her to the darker side of his world, teaching her how to defend herself and enlisting her aid in a convenience-store holdup.
    Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 1 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • This lawyer-mugging could go without any response today.
    U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Break-in.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/break-in. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

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