1
as in to classify
to arrange or assign according to type
when presented with the pile of files, the first thing he did was to break them down by month, order within the month, and region
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to decompose
to go through decomposition
the enamel of a human tooth will begin to break down when exposed to sugar for too long
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to analyze
to identify and examine the basic elements or parts of (something) especially for discovering interrelationships
if we break the problem down into what appear to be three aspects of it, we'll have a better chance of solving it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to die
to stop functioning
the computer finally broke down and had to be replaced
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in to crack
to yield to mental or emotional stress
began to break down when he realized that he was on the verge of bankruptcy
Synonyms & Similar Words
6
as in to take down
to take apart
the crew was breaking down the party tent when we arrived
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in to shatter
to cause to break with violence and much noise
firefighters had to break down the wall to rescue the kitten
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in nervous breakdown
a mental or nervous collapse
if you don't ease your workload, you're going to have a breakdown
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in decomposition
the process by which dead organic matter separates into simpler substances
the breakdown of the body was arrested by the embalming process
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in analysis
the separation and identification of the parts of a whole
the boss wanted a detailed breakdown of the sales figures
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of break down
Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, 17 Feb. 2026
The workers, represented by the Pacific Northwest Staff Union, voted to authorize a strike last month after talks broke down.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 17 Feb. 2026
James Duesterberg, New Yorker, 18 Feb. 2026
There was more to that breakdown than most of us recall, and the often-insightful Reality Check does a decent job of contextualizing it.
—Judy Berman, Time, 18 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for break down
Verb
The traditional business model for indie films has broken down as audiences still have not shown up to theaters with the same enthusiasm as before the pandemic.
—Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, 17 Feb. 2026
The workers, represented by the Pacific Northwest Staff Union, voted to authorize a strike last month after talks broke down.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 17 Feb. 2026
Noun
By 1998, burnt out on stimulants and anticipating a Y2K apocalypse, Land had a breakdown, left academia, and dropped off the map.
—James Duesterberg, New Yorker, 18 Feb. 2026
There was more to that breakdown than most of us recall, and the often-insightful Reality Check does a decent job of contextualizing it.
—Judy Berman, Time, 18 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for break down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for break down
Verb
-
The embassy reopening plans are classified and the State Department declined to comment on details beyond confirming that the congressional notification was sent.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
21 Feb. 2026
-
According to Chase, that includes grocery stores, specialty food stores or delivery service merchants that classify as grocery store merchants.—
Ryley Amond,
CNBC,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
To prevent the fallow area from turning into a weed patch, cover it with agricultural-grade plastic or a thick layer of slowly decomposing mulch such as wood chips.—
Nadia Hassani,
The Spruce,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Most paper products decompose in landfills within a couple of months, according to RecycleNation, a recycling technology company.—
Julia James,
Dallas Morning News,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
High-resolution satellite imagery from February 10, 2026, analyzed by ISIS, shows Iran continuing to harden tunnel entrances at the underground complex carved into Pickaxe Mountain near Natanz.—
Farida Elsebai,
CNN Money,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Engineers will analyze how materials, production techniques, and post-treatment processes affect component life.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Authorities on Wednesday confirmed eight of the remaining skiers had died, with the ninth missing and presumed dead.—
Nicole Buss,
Sacbee.com,
22 Feb. 2026
-
But that dream died along with her husband.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN Money,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
After he's dispatched, Isabel and Jay crack his database of dirt, revealing all of the first family's shady dealings.—
Allison DeGrushe,
Entertainment Weekly,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Retention of casual viewers is a nut that’s notoriously hard to crack, and NASCAR isn’t alone in trying to convert its hordes of curiosity seekers.—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Section 230 of the Communication Decency Act provides that these platforms cannot be held liable for the content posted on their sites, whether that involves what to include or what to take down.—
Erwin Chemerinsky,
Mercury News,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Since the Akard Street bridge over Interstate 30 was taken down in mid-January, business owners say foot traffic and visibility have dropped sharply, turning once-busy streets noticeably quiet.—
Nicole Nielsen,
CBS News,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Jamerson’s dreams of a solid return to a school that snubbed him were shattered.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Officer Nik Anderson was struck in the arm, shattering his humerus bone.—
Claire Osborn,
Austin American Statesman,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
As for this devastated, miserable, freaked out, walking nervous breakdown of a man?—
Stephen Schaefer,
Boston Herald,
25 Nov. 2025
-
The 1970s were Hollywood’s nervous breakdown.—
Remy Blumenfeld,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Break down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/break%20down. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.
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