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
The players want it, and the league has reluctantly accepted that a break in the middle of its season once every four years is worth the risk, and the headaches, to enjoy the power, prestige and reach that only the Olympics creates. Mac Engel march 25, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Mar. 2026 And further out in the disk, the astronomers have spotted a third, smaller break in the material—a tantalizing hint that matter there may have already collapsed into a planet closer to Saturn’s size. Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 24 Mar. 2026
Noun
During the April break-in, Brent said that Austin Lanz smashed through the back door with a sledgehammer, opened their blinds, and rummaged through their bed. Dan Raby, CBS News, 17 Mar. 2026 The Air Force veteran had left the White House to become administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration when Senate committee staffers privately questioned him on July 13, 1973, during their investigation of the Watergate break-in. Douglass K. Daniel, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for break in
Recent Examples of Synonyms for break in
Verb
  • That operation began on October 29, 1956, when Israel invaded the Sinai Peninsula and rapidly overwhelmed Egyptian forces.
    Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
  • Food prices rose sharply after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, but that was largely due to the countries being major grain exporters.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Football leagues worldwise were interrupted because of World War I, but the game was still played by citizens, troops and even prisoners of war.
    PJ Green, Kansas City Star, 1 Apr. 2026
  • How long will Trump's speech interrupt the 'Survivor 50' episode tonight?
    Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • If residents have any evidence or information relating to the March 31 burglaries, contact the Skokie Police Department at 847-982-5900.
    Claire Murphy, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2026
  • Last year, there were 117 auto burglaries.
    Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 31 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The 21-year-old McGonigle, who was robbed of his first home run by center fielder Jackson Merrill in the second, worked a 10-pitch at-bat against Wandy Peralta in a lefty-on-lefty matchup that culminated with a single to right field that brought in Gleyber Torres and Colt Keith for a 4-2 lead.
    ABC News, ABC News, 28 Mar. 2026
  • Both robbed Royals batters (Perez and Vinnie Pasquantino) of hits in the sixth inning.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 28 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • There's no numbered ticketing system, so keep track of your place in line or a regular will cut in front of you.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Mar. 2026
  • As director Bill Benz noted in our profile of Chris Fleming, Live at the Palace feels like a wildlife documentary, where the cameras move, zoom, and cut in hopes of capturing this majestic creature in its element.
    Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 30 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The holdup on arresting Tyson is that the public defender originally assigned to Tyson also represents Jones.
    Morgan Rynor, CBS News, 24 Mar. 2026
  • The charges reportedly stem from Fontenette’s role in a violent robbery and assault of a Bulldog Express convenience store clerk in Nederland in October 2025, in which Fontenette and two others used a firearm to carry out the holdup.
    Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 19 Mar. 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 2 Apr. 2026.

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