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

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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
Microplastics, each no larger than a grain of rice, are formed as throwaways such as water bottles, packaging and fast-food containers break down. — Michael Hawthorne, Chicago Tribune, 23 Aug. 2026 Because his body has broken down over the past several years, many fans do not view him favorably, and his presence likely cost the Yankees the opportunity to acquire Bryce Harper and other high-profile superstars in free agency or trades. — Chris Kirschner, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026
Noun
Michael offers a superb breakdown of various supplements, how to determine purity, and when to use them. — Diana Helmuth, Outdoor Life, 20 Aug. 2026 As Fortune’s Jordan Blum argues, this could accelerate a broader breakdown of the post-WWII maritime order, although some analysts believe Iran may ultimately use tolls mainly as a bargaining chip for sanctions relief. — Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 19 Aug. 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
  • The blaze was quickly upgraded to a third-alarm fire, which is classified as a major emergency that requires a high level of response.
    — Chelsea Hylton, CBS News, 24 Aug. 2026
  • The ranking measures the most popular tracks classified as both Latin and rhythm, according to Billboard, with the melding of the styles encompassing pieces of other subgenres as well, including reggaeton and Latin hip-hop.
    — Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of classify
Verb
  • The study hypothesized that the sickle was added before the body fully decomposed since no joints were detached or displaced, as archaeologists would expect if a grave were to be disturbed after the body became a skeleton.
    — Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Agents plan and reason, decompose goals into steps, call external tools and iterate without being prompted at each turn.
    — Hemant Kashyap, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of decompose
Verb
  • In another trial, researchers with the UC San Diego School of Medicine and Case Western Reserve University are also analyzing blood from 84 adult participants with HIV and abnormal levels of body fat buildup.
    — Yi-Jin Yu, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Rather than simply applying basic color segmentation, Hi3D analyzes the model’s visual information while considering manufacturing requirements.
    — Nia Bowers, USA Today, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of analyze
Verb
  • The siblings inherited the Lakers through the Buss Family Trust after their father died in 2013, though their ties to the organization extended well beyond ownership.
    — Law Murray, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Fedorov is right to say ideals should not die in warfare, or why else fight?
    — Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of die
Verb
  • Over the last four years, the Clark County Coroner’s Office, with the assistance of police and the FBI, has leveraged several types of technology trying to crack the cold case.
    — Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
  • But perhaps just as rewarding, and maybe even inspiring, is cracking open a book in a reader-friendly public space.
    — Adele Chapin, Washington Post, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of crack
Verb
  • Such weapons are proving increasingly difficult for Kyiv to shoot down, with supplies of US Patriot interceptors – one of the few systems capable of taking down ballistic missiles pretty much exhausted.
    — Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
  • As residents complain and other communities, such as Monroe County and Sumpter Township, have scaled back or decided against Flock cameras, Waterford police have no plans to take down these cameras anytime soon.
    — Heath Kalb, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of take down
Verb
  • Windows were shattered at a children’s hospital in the Solomianskyi district, said Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko.
    — Kosta Gak, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026
  • That was a cool metaphor of wanting each one of them to shatter a glass ceiling of sorts.
    — Max Gao, Variety, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of shatter
Noun
  • Embodied by Maradona, successive Argentinean national teams played with flair and toughness and an element of chaos, often on the edge of nervous breakdown.
    — Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 16 July 2026
  • After suffering a nervous breakdown and being taken care of by Marlon Brando’s daughter Cheyenne in Tahiti, Jones eventually returned to his life as a mogul of music, television and magazines.
    — Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, 3 July 2026
Definition of nervous breakdown

Phrases Containing break down

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break bread
break down
breakdown
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Cite this Entry

“Break down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/break%20down. Accessed 26 Aug. 2026.

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