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
Unlike almost every other team in the country, UConn hasn’t had more than four days between games since its holiday break in late December. Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 19 Feb. 2026 However, blowing and drifting snow producing significant visibility restrictions will continue above 6000 feet elevation, even during the break in snowfall. Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 19 Feb. 2026
Noun
Some experts recommend an early oil change for new cars to remove metal shavings from the engine break-in period. John Paul, The Providence Journal, 7 Feb. 2026 Clues in the snow led to the arrests of two suspects in a business break-in during last weekend’s monster storm in the Charlotte region and rest of the state, Iredell County Sheriff Darren Campbell said in a social media post. Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 7 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for break in
Recent Examples of Synonyms for break in
Verb
  • Russia invaded Ukraine four years ago this month.
    Bradley Gitz, Arkansas Online, 16 Feb. 2026
  • Another scene that always gives me goosebumps is the one with the birds and winged creatures invading the high-tech production, especially because of the sound work and the powerful voice of Tulipa Ruiz.
    Kevin Giraud, Variety, 15 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • This was the right choice—the drama of the sandy shore, contrasted by the vivid blue-green of the sea, is too harmonious a pairing to imagine interrupting.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Feb. 2026
  • The conversations between media and players were brief so as not to interrupt them from watching what was one of the best games of the tournament.
    Lia Assimakopoulos, Dallas Morning News, 18 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • In 2017, the Economic Policy Institute estimated that just one form of wage theft (paying below minimum wage) resulted in minimum wage workers having more than $15 billion stolen from them every year, a number that exceeds the value of all robberies, burglaries, larcenies, and car thefts combined.
    Emily Galvin Almanza, Literary Hub, 18 Feb. 2026
  • Officers confiscated the rifle Lyles used and discovered it was stolen during a home burglary currently under investigation in Alabama.
    Dante Motley, Austin American Statesman, 18 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Federal officials said Wright and others robbed at least five victims in Windsor and Bloomfield between July and November 2020.
    Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 13 Feb. 2026
  • And then there was France’s Julia Simon winning a gold medal four months after being convicted of robbing her teammate Justine Braisaz-Bouchet — who placed 80th (just imagine a teammate racking up $2,300 in charges on your credit card, then beating you to the podium).
    James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 13 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Montgomery was among the players working on fundamentals such as secondary leads on the bases before taking a few cuts in the cages.
    LaMond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 16 Feb. 2026
  • Holes can be cut in the fabric to insert garden plants, and optionally the fabric can be covered with mulch to hide it.
    David Beaulieu, The Spruce, 15 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • According to McKay, five of the holdups involved a man armed with what appeared to be a firearm.
    Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 12 Feb. 2026
  • Even worse, disaster reimbursement delays, delayed housing repairs, and the holdup of infrastructure rebuilding have fueled anger in the communities that are hardest hit.
    Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 4 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 20 Feb. 2026.

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