break down 1 of 2

verb

Definition of break downnext
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

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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

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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to die
to stop functioning the computer finally broke down and had to be replaced

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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

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6
as in to take down
to take apart the crew was breaking down the party tent when we arrived

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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

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breakdown

2 of 2

noun

ˈbrāk-ˌdau̇n How to pronounce breakdown (audio)
1
as in nervous breakdown
a mental or nervous collapse if you don't ease your workload, you're going to have a breakdown

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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

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3
as in analysis
the separation and identification of the parts of a whole the boss wanted a detailed breakdown of the sales figures

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word break down distinct from other similar verbs?

The words analyze and dissect are common synonyms of break down. While all three words mean "to divide a complex whole into its parts or elements," break down implies a reducing to simpler parts or divisions.

break down the budget

When is it sensible to use analyze instead of break down?

Although the words analyze and break down have much in common, analyze suggests separating or distinguishing the component parts of something (such as a substance, a process, a situation) so as to discover its true nature or inner relationships.

analyzed the collected data

When could dissect be used to replace break down?

While in some cases nearly identical to break down, dissect suggests a searching analysis by laying bare parts or pieces for individual scrutiny.

commentators dissected every word of the speech

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
Verb
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation also broke down banking access by race and ethnicity. —Hali Smith april 15, Idaho Statesman, 15 Apr. 2026 Chemical recycling uses heat or chemicals to break down plastics. —ABC News, 15 Apr. 2026
Noun
The country breakdown of the 305 nationals was not provided, but it is said to include 36 boys, 77 girls, 66 women and 126 men. —ABC News, 16 Apr. 2026 Here is a breakdown of who Licata’s selections are to lead each regional office. —Samuel O’Neal 16, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for break down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for break down
  1. classify
  2. decompose
  3. analyze
  4. die
  5. crack
  6. take down
  7. shatter
  8. nervous breakdown
Verb
  • Named in honor of NASA astronaut John Glenn, the first American to orbit Earth, New Glenn is a powerful two-stage rocket manufactured by Blue Origin classified as a heavy-lift launch vehicle.
    — Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 17 Apr. 2026
  • The NightFlight Expedition and Mission Bermuda attractions are not classified as roller coasters by Roller Coaster Database.
    — Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 17 Apr. 2026
Definition of classify
Verb
  • The body was so badly decomposed that the deceased’s gender could not be determined, said police.
    — Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 17 Apr. 2026
  • D4vd’s parents are coming to his defense after the platinum-selling singer was arrested Thursday on suspicion of murdering Celeste Rivas Hernandez, the 14-year-old girl found dismembered and decomposing in the trunk of his Tesla seven months ago.
    — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 17 Apr. 2026
Definition of decompose
Verb
  • At the center of the standoff that has stretched throughout the week is Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which permits the CIA, National Security Agency, FBI and other agencies to collect and analyze vast amounts of overseas communications without a warrant.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Apr. 2026
  • The water will be collected and analyzed in order to determine the uranium concentration.
    — Dillon Thomas, CBS News, 17 Apr. 2026
Definition of analyze
Verb
  • The legendary singer across genres died Sunday of multiple organ failure at Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai, Pratit Samdani, a physician at the hospital said.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 12 Apr. 2026
  • The family of Troy Murray, a former forward and team broadcaster who died last month, got one of the day's loudest ovations when they were shown on the videoboard.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 12 Apr. 2026
Definition of die
Verb
  • Clad in all black, James and the band cracked wise onstage with a brash, swashbuckling attitude, led constant clap-alongs, and took multiple sojourns into the crowd — and that was just during the first song.
    — Daniel Kohn, Rolling Stone, 17 Apr. 2026
  • Its brunch menu features a variety of fun bites, sides and mains, such as Avocado Toast Flights; Wake and Gravy Poutine; and the Trenton Porkroll Benny made with two poached eggs, cracked pepper and melted cheddar over potato pancakes.
    — USA TODAY NETWORK, USA Today, 17 Apr. 2026
Definition of crack
Verb
  • Trump, who later suggested his intention was to compare himself to a Red Cross physician, had the image taken down.
    — Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald, 15 Apr. 2026
  • The Pauls Valley High School principal took down the former student.
    — Nic Uff, ABC News, 15 Apr. 2026
Definition of take down
Verb
  • The operation shattered Hezbollah's communications network and became the benchmark in Israel for a strike that fundamentally changed the battlefield.
    — Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 15 Apr. 2026
  • Democrats Beto O'Rourke in 2018 in Texas and Jaime Harrison in 2020 in South Carolina shattered fundraising records and still lost to their Republican rivals.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 Apr. 2026
Definition of shatter
Noun
  • When their news anchor (Peter Finch) has a nervous breakdown on the air, suddenly their ratings turn around, bringing on a moral morass only some of them are prepared to face.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2026
  • Mostly because Kiesling’s voice is delightful, and this chronicle of Daphne—a young mother-intellectual on the verge of a nervous breakdown—is open-hearted and unsparing about the work that goes into balancing infant care with day job.
    — Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 16 Mar. 2026
Definition of nervous breakdown

Phrases Containing break down

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Cite this Entry

“Break down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/break%20down. Accessed 18 Apr. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of break down for Spanish Speakers

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