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
Among his stops was a key glove save on MacKenzie Weegar when the former Flames defenseman broke in from the blue line all alone. ABC News, 13 Apr. 2026 And even if negotiations ultimately break in America’s favor, the damage to the alliances that prop up America’s credibility can’t be so easily restored. Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 13 Apr. 2026
Noun
All the President's Men starred the legendary actors as Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein, respectively, journalists who investigated the 1972 break-in at the Democratic National Committee (DNC) and uncovered the sweeping cover-up that ultimately led to President Richard Nixon’s resignation. Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 11 Apr. 2026 Also on Wednesday, Banegas was sentenced to four decades in prison for a string of car break-ins. Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 8 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for break in
Recent Examples of Synonyms for break in
Verb
  • The war, in which Israel invaded parts of Lebanon, left nearly 2,300 people dead in Lebanon, more than 1 million people displaced and caused wide destruction.
    ABC News, ABC News, 18 Apr. 2026
  • Trump has not even invaded Iran, at least not yet.
    Peter Lucas, Boston Herald, 18 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • When one of the work van owners interrupted the thieves, one of the thieves took out a gun and tried to take the owner's vehicle.
    Adam Harrington, CBS News, 15 Apr. 2026
  • Last week, a mass of teens participating in a takeover on Tybee Island, Georgia, was interrupted in panic after police say gunfire broke out along the pier.
    Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 15 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Los Angeles police are investigating a home burglary that happened in Valley Glen late Wednesday night, just hours after another San Fernando Valley home was also targeted.
    Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 16 Apr. 2026
  • Court records back up her account, and Gaff was convicted of assault with a deadly weapon and burglary in the case.
    Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Investigators believe the shooting was carried out by a single subject who was attempting to rob the store before fleeing.
    CBS Baltimore Staff, CBS News, 18 Apr. 2026
  • Odenkirk plays a small town temporary sheriff who uncovers dark mysteries after the bank is robbed.
    Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 17 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass released a budget bombshell last year, stunning the city workforce by proposing widespread layoffs and other cuts in a bid to erase a $1-billion spending gap.
    David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2026
  • But the Cold War analogy cuts in both directions.
    Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 19 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The holdup reportedly took about an hour.
    Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 9 Apr. 2026
  • Berlin police worked with local and federal law enforcement to investigate the holdup and carried out search warrants later in the day, searching a residence on Route 5 in North Haven and a vehicle suspected to be involved.
    Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 3 Apr. 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 Apr. 2026.

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