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
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 down
Rolling Stone Culture Council, Rolling Stone, 20 June 2025
If these framework conditions break down, the integrity of digital identities is directly at risk.
—Daniel Strauss, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
Liz Knueven, CNBC, 30 June 2025
Homeland Security did not respond to requests for information on how many of those arrested had criminal histories, or for a breakdown of those convictions.
—Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for break down
Verb
Leverage social media’s accessible platform and its opportunity to share insights, break down complex topics and spotlight your wins creatively — not to boast, but to educate and inspire.
—Rolling Stone Culture Council, Rolling Stone, 20 June 2025
If these framework conditions break down, the integrity of digital identities is directly at risk.
—Daniel Strauss, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
Noun
Standout benefits: Geico offers mechanical breakdown coverage, which covers the cost of repairs to the transmission, engine, A/C and other mechanical parts and systems due to normal wear and tear.
—Liz Knueven, CNBC, 30 June 2025
Homeland Security did not respond to requests for information on how many of those arrested had criminal histories, or for a breakdown of those convictions.
—Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for break down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for break down
Verb
-
Cashews are classified as tree nuts, one of the nine major food allergens.—
Matthew Robinson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 July 2025
-
More than half of the cases — 417 — were classified as immigration violations.—
Norma Galeana,
CNN Money,
4 July 2025
Verb
-
The decomposing roots serve as the host for the mushrooms to grow.—
Chris McKeown,
The Enquirer,
2 July 2025
-
The metamorphic rock from which Atlanta’s soil is derived also contributes to its alkalinity as does the constantly decomposing organic matter, consisting mostly of leaves, on the soil surface.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
28 June 2025
Verb
-
The other new offering is a finance agent that automatically analyzes KPIs and performs planning functions for different scenarios.—
Megan Poinski,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
-
Those videos can also serve the interests of science, as evidenced by the international team of researchers who analyzed 408 publicly available videos of sleeping cats to study whether the kitties showed any preference for sleeping on their right or left sides.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
30 June 2025
Verb
-
But every time one expression of faith dies, a new one seems to rise up offering something more in keeping with the needs of the era.—
Belinda Luscombe,
Time,
1 July 2025
-
Three weeks later, on Thursday, Isidro Perez died in U.S. Immigration and Customs custody.—
Claire Healy,
Miami Herald,
1 July 2025
Verb
-
In the past four years, four Utes TEs (Cole Fotheringham, Thomas Yassmin, Dalton Kincaid, and now Lohner) have cracked pro rosters.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
7 July 2025
-
Last month, the company announced plans to drive vehicles manually in New York for testing, marking the first step toward potentially cracking the largest U.S. city.—
Jennifer Elias,
CNBC,
7 July 2025
Verb
-
One year later, a friend of Goodyear’s spotted the man who said his name was Brian and took down his license plate number, which was then linked to Baumeister.—
Emily Krauser,
People.com,
3 July 2025
-
That was before the streetcar line was taken down in 1951 and Southwest Trafficway was completed as cars became the main mode of transportation.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
3 July 2025
Verb
-
But the resulting scandal shatters her reputation, as well as that of Nina’s teenage daughter, Clara.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
People.com,
9 July 2025
-
In those terrifying moments, Ryan shattered a window in a final attempt to get his family out.—
Alaa Elassar,
CNN Money,
6 July 2025
Noun
-
But the high demands of a relentless industry proved too much and in late December 1964, Wilson suffered a nervous breakdown and stopped touring, becoming a full-time studio artist for the better part of more than a decade after that.—
Christina Maxouris,
CNN Money,
11 June 2025
-
This looser, more straightforward approach works for the smaller scale and scope of Bottle Rocket, which begins with Luke Wilson’s Anthony leaving a voluntary treatment facility in Arizona after suffering a nervous breakdown.—
Shannon Carlin,
Time,
30 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Break down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/break%20down. Accessed 13 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share