Synonyms of break
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as in to disrupt 
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as in to stop
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as in to reduce
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as in to decipher
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as in to pause
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as in to plow
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as in to violate
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as in to solve
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as in to damage
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as in to die
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as in to retreat
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as in to wear
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as in to circulate
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as in to ruin
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as in to begin
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as in to veer
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as in to depress
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as in to exceed
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as in to surface
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as in pause
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as in vacation
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as in gap
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as in opportunity
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as in accident
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as in escape
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Example Sentences
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Phrases Containing
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1
as in to disrupt
to cause to separate into pieces usually suddenly or forcibly
hated telling her that I had broken her favorite glass vase
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2
as in to stop
to bring (as an action or operation) to an immediate end
the final vote broke the deadlock
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3
as in to reduce
to bring to a lower grade or rank
the captain was broken to lieutenant commander for disobeying a direct order from his group commander
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4
as in to decipher
to change (as a secret message) from code into ordinary language
Alan Turing and the Bletchley Park mathematicians broke the Enigma code being used by the Nazis
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5
as in to pause
to come to a temporary halt in one's activity
she broke from her ruminations to find that it was already dinnertime
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6
7
as in to violate
to fail to keep
had to confess that he had broken his promise not to share their conversation with anyone
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8
as in to solve
to find an answer for through reasoning
Professor Bates broke the problem when she realized that it was possible to synthesize the necessary compounds
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9
as in to damage
to reduce the soundness, effectiveness, or perfection of
I broke a tooth on the hard candy
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10
as in to die
to stop functioning
after working for 30 years, the pump simply broke one day
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11
as in to retreat
to hasten away from something dangerous or frightening
the herd of gazelles broke when they saw the lions racing toward them from the ridge above
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12
as in to wear
to use up all the physical energy of
the trek up the mountain just about broke me
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13
as in to circulate
to become known
as soon as the scandal broke, the CEO fled the country
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14
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as in to begin
to come into existence
the crisis had passed, and a new day was breaking
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16
as in to veer
to depart abruptly from a straight line or course
the running back broke to his left before running out of bounds
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17
as in to depress
to diminish the price or value of
distressing economic news that will break many energy stocks
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18
as in to exceed
to go beyond the limit of
a menu with prices that is likely to break the budgets of all but the wealthiest of diners
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1
as in pause
a momentary halt in an activity
there was a brief break after the first movement as the doors to the concert hall were opened and the latecomers were allowed in
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2
as in vacation
a period during which the usual routine of school or work is suspended
most of the students at the boarding school are going home for Christmas break
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3
as in gap
an open space in a barrier (as a wall or hedge)
the rancher repaired the break in the fence where the horse had gotten through
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5
as in accident
an unexpected benefit or advantage resulting from the uncertain course of events
a guy who just seems to get all the breaks in life
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6
as in escape
the act or an instance of getting free from danger or confinement
a desperate break from that hellhole
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Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of break
David Ferrini, Forbes.com, 21 June 2025
The 30-year-old international affairs student wasn’t accused of breaking any laws during the protests at Columbia.
—Holly Ramer, Chicago Tribune, 21 June 2025
Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 20 June 2025
That led to 16 points for Thursday's victors, who had a 22-point advantage at the break.
—Bobby Krivitsky, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for break
Verb
Barriers are indeed being broken, and with an eye on the future, rejuvenation of the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia could be next for the Lariani.
—David Ferrini, Forbes.com, 21 June 2025
The 30-year-old international affairs student wasn’t accused of breaking any laws during the protests at Columbia.
—Holly Ramer, Chicago Tribune, 21 June 2025
Noun
It’s nestled deep in the Legacy Garden and offers a break from walking while enjoying the outdoors.
—Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 20 June 2025
That led to 16 points for Thursday's victors, who had a 22-point advantage at the break.
—Bobby Krivitsky, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for break
Recent Examples of Synonyms for break
Verb
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These attacks don’t just disrupt operations but also expose deeply personal financial information that can fuel identity theft, fraud and long-term reputational damage.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
21 June 2025
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Globally, heatwaves, droughts, and extreme weather are disrupting supply chains, inflating food prices, and undermining financial stability.—
Felicia Jackson,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2025
Verb
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In 2012, the Premier League stopped awarding bottles of Champagne along with man of the match awards, out of respect for the religious beliefs of some players.—
Carl Anka,
New York Times,
17 June 2025
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California lawmakers are looking to stop local police officers and federal agents from wearing face masks or coverings while carrying out operations in the state.—
Billal Rahman
Dan Gooding,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 June 2025
Verb
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All evacuation orders have been reduced to warnings.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
20 June 2025
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Only a system designed with these principles can truly protect your organization, reduce losses and maintain trust with your honest customers.—
Marcin Nowak,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2025
Verb
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In other words, there was too much atmospheric static to decipher information using classical techniques.—
Joanna Thompson,
Space.com,
21 June 2025
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Mortgage professionals have mastered the art of deciphering hidden meanings, changing fears into wisdom and confusion into action.—
Neil Anders,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2025
Verb
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Rafael Devers did not pause to admire his first home run as a San Francisco Giant.—
Andrew Baggarly,
New York Times,
22 June 2025
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Attendees said the annual event marks an important time to pause and celebrate what makes people unique, and what brings them together.—
Kendrick Calfee,
Kansas City Star,
21 June 2025
Verb
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While pestilence crept over the walls of cities and the countryside fell into desolation—many foreign conquerors of Europe knew how to fight and plunder but not to plow or sow—the monks preserved words.—
Bernd Roeck
June 16,
Literary Hub,
16 June 2025
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For the San Diegans who’ve plowed serious coin into SDFC matches, the event will pose a challenge.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 June 2025
Verb
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By crossing multiple red lines — violating Iran’s sovereignty, expanding extrajudicial killings, and striking nuclear, energy, and civilian infrastructure — Israel has drawn widespread ire.—
Faisal J. Abbas,
semafor.com,
17 June 2025
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Seven residents sued, claiming that the book removals were based on content and therefore violated their First Amendment rights.—
Anthony Aycock
June 17,
Literary Hub,
17 June 2025
Verb
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After watching Ironheart, viewers will be challenged by the notion that talent and aspirations alone aren't enough to solve every problem.—
DeVonne Goode,
Parents,
25 June 2025
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Find out what is chewing the leaves of your plants and get tips for solving the problem.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
25 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Break.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/break. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.
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