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

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

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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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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

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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
However, as the industry innovates with newer products such as high alcohol content beer or ready-to-drink cocktails, the efficacy of the categorical system continues to break down. — Adam Hoffer, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026 Cannon breaks down the accountability, aggressiveness and the perspective needed to play effective defense after the team’s reset week. — John W. Davis, Oc Register, 5 July 2026
Noun
The transfer of the Chelsea art space is only the epilogue for Marlborough’s multi-year breakdown—the gallery’s closure in 2024 came after years of escalating strife and discord. — News Desk, Artforum, 9 July 2026 At its most recent vote last week, the county changed the funding breakdown of where $362 million to be paid by Octapharma in lieu of taxes would go. — John Marks, Charlotte Observer, 8 July 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 Education Department initially classified only 11 fields as professional, leaving out areas including nursing, physical therapy and education.
    — Andrew Khouri, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
  • Devine told me that e-bike and moped marketing is confusing and regulations keeping e-bikes safely classified are cloudy.
    — Doug Turnbull, AJC.com, 5 July 2026
Definition of classify
Verb
  • The Yolo County Central Landfill will build a new system that will convert methane from decomposing waste into renewable natural gas, the county announced Tuesday.
    — Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 30 June 2026
  • The ocean becomes a creamy expanse splotched with brown mats of decomposing algae, according to photos shared by Abrams.
    — Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 28 June 2026
Definition of decompose
Verb
  • Sourcing & Methodology This article was generated by software that analyzes National Weather Service warnings and advisories and creates an article based on templates created by humans.
    — Bay Area Weather Report, Mercury News, 9 July 2026
  • By analyzing tail hair samples, researchers found that herds living among wolves had cortisol levels 58% higher than those living in areas without wolves.
    — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
Definition of analyze
Verb
  • That would give the planet more time to drift outward as the dying sun sheds its outer layers into space, potentially avoiding engulfment altogether.
    — Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 8 July 2026
  • The obvious gem of the collection is the attention-getting title story, about the Canadian Nobel laureate Alice Munro, who died in 2024 — and whose complex, layered short fiction Aviv admires.
    — Julia M. Klein, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
Definition of die
Verb
  • Flanking him in two blowout victories were Will Richard, LJ Cryer and Malevy Leons, all of whom cracked the Warriors’ rotation last season.
    — Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 9 July 2026
  • My hands had cracked and scabbed from being on the water nearly two weeks.
    — John Todd, Outdoor Life, 9 July 2026
Definition of crack
Verb
  • Land managers can also send in hand crews to take down shrubs with loppers, hoes and chainsaws.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
  • Cap goes rogue with his crew, Iron Man recruits supervillains to take down his fellow hero, and Spider-Man unmasks his secret identity for the first time.
    — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 8 July 2026
Definition of take down
Verb
  • Kelsey Pfendler completed a record-shattering solo row from California to Hawaii in just 43 days, becoming the fastest person ever.
    — Kim Elsesser, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026
  • As the victim appeared to start to walk away, a gunshot rang out, and the Mitsubishi’s driver’s window shattered, the video showed, prosecutors alleged.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 7 July 2026
Definition of shatter
Noun
  • 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
  • Some people in Caracas and surrounding areas suffered nervous breakdowns following the events of Wednesday afternoon, compounded by warnings that their homes might collapse.
    — Gustavo Ocando Alex, Miami Herald, 25 June 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 11 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of break down for Spanish Speakers

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