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
When access tokens live too long, attackers do not need to break in again. Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 27 Jan. 2026 The timeline for both Nosek (knee) and Gadjovich (upper body) to return has been stated as being following the Olympic break in February, while Kulikov (shoulder) is likely out until at least March. Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 27 Jan. 2026
Noun
No one was inside the residence at the time of the break-in. Jordan Bianchi, New York Times, 15 Jan. 2026 The weapon or tools used in the break-in are unknown, the report states. Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 14 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for break in
Recent Examples of Synonyms for break in
Verb
  • What now is the difference between the United States attacking Venezuela in order to install new leadership and Russia invading Ukraine to effect annexation and leadership change?
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 8 Jan. 2026
  • The drug-trafficking-as-armed-attack line simply doesn’t work—not as a justification for bombing fishing boats in international waters in the Caribbean, and not for invading a foreign country and kidnapping its president.
    Elie Mystal, Washington Post, 7 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Microsoft’s 2025 Work Trend Index reported employees interrupted by a meeting, email or notification every two minutes on average (roughly 275 times a day), and nearly half of employees surveyed describe their work as chaotic and fragmented.
    Dilan Gomih, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
  • These cycles stretch for hours, interrupted only by meal times and occasional group check-ins.
    Jenna Ryu, SELF, 28 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • The Los Angeles Police Department is pursuing a driver wanted for burglary on Wednesday morning near the Inglewood area.
    CBS LA Staff, CBS News, 28 Jan. 2026
  • Police are looking for a burglary suspect who led officers on a chase before getting into a car crash on live TV in Los Angeles on Wednesday morning.
    Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 28 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • An Opa-locka teen was arrested Wednesday for robbing University of Miami football player Bryce Fitzgerald, the Florida City Police Department said.
    Sofia Saric, Miami Herald, 23 Jan. 2026
  • That decision robbed them of valuable reconnaissance on their actual ski line.
    Frederick Dreier, Outside, 23 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Officials say the district is planning for more budget cuts in the next school year, which plays a role in negotiations.
    Kara St. Cyr, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026
  • Market pricing now foresees fewer than two full quarter-point rate cuts in the cards for 2026, down from three in November.
    Michael Santoli, CNBC, 26 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • In her opinion, the holdups, delays and claim denials point to the city of Fort Worth trying to save money on treatment costs.
    Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Jan. 2026
  • The holdup, according to those briefed on the talks, was that the Padres were unwilling to take on as much of Arenado’s salary as the D-Backs.
    Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 14 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Staged to look like a random mugging of a courier, the robbery was, in fact, a sophisticated heist that would ultimately involve the Provisional IRA, the New York mafia and the Colombian cartel.
    Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 9 Oct. 2025
  • The mugging of his early selfies has vanished.
    David Kamp, New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Break in.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/break%20in. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.

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