break in 1 of 2

verb

Definition of break innext
1
as in to invade
to enter a house or building by force usually with illegal intent the burglars broke in by smashing a window

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in to interrupt
to cause a disruption in a conversation or discussion he rudely broke in to drop the names of several celebrities that he had met

Synonyms & Similar Words

break-in

2 of 2

noun

as in burglary

Related Words

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 in
Verb
And the Sox received a bit of a bad break in the eighth with a 1-hour, 28-minute rain delay that shortened Grant Taylor’s relief outing to one inning. — Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 19 Aug. 2026 Timed around the natural breaks in the soccer calendar, dictated by international fixtures and the pause for Christmas, each leg will have its own mini table, including prizes for the winners. — Dominic Preston, The Verge, 19 Aug. 2026
Noun
There were no signs of a break-in, and no items were reported stolen. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 19 Aug. 2026 Video from the break-in showed the suspect carrying an electronic device. — Charlotte Observer, 18 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for break in
Recent Examples of Synonyms for break in
  1. invade
  2. interrupt
  3. burglary
  4. rob
  5. cut in
  6. holdup
  7. mugging
Verb
  • Yet, in contending with the invading species, Denise is fashioned into a female action hero more in keeping with the epoch of director Quentin Tarantino than with that of President Ronald Reagan.
    — Peter Tonguette, The Washington Examiner, 22 Aug. 2026
  • The morning after their fight, Russia invades Ukraine, and the two go on with their separation amid the backdrop of sudden social upheaval.
    — Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of invade
Verb
  • Lane was always the guy who interrupted the monotony of a long practice or meeting with a comment or joke.
    — Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Living with sickle cell disease has sometimes interrupted Dennis' education and other parts of her life.
    — Jamal Goss, CBS News, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of interrupt
Noun
  • Lawrence faces multiple charges, including grand theft of motor vehicle parts, burglary conspiracy, grand theft conspiracy, and criminal solicitation.
    — Ana Maria Soler, CBS News, 26 Aug. 2026
  • They were arraigned on felony reckless endangerment, burglary and other charges, according to the Associated Press.
    — Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of burglary
Verb
  • Named after Blythe Street — a short thoroughfare flanked by overcrowded apartments — the crew had robbed, stole, peddled drugs and shot up rivals since the 1980s, seemingly untroubled by the city of Los Angeles’ attempts to defeat it.
    — Matthew Ormseth, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The backlash against hyperscale data centers has converted both Democrats and Republicans into AI skeptics, warning that the industry’s rise risks robbing communities of autonomy.
    — David Weigel, semafor.com, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of rob
Verb
  • During slaughter, done in the name of God, the animal must be cut in one swift motion and drained of blood.
    — Maven Navarro, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Shares of the maker of devices such as pacemakers and stents have been nearly cut in half already this year, under pressure after issuing a weak profit forecast in the first quarter.
    — Tobias Burns, CNBC, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of cut in
Noun
  • From a creative perspective there hasn't been much holdup on that front, according to another person familiar with the matter.
    — Lillian Rizzo, CNBC, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The El Niño butterfly effect If there are significant holdups at the canal, vessels will bring their cargo to a US West Coast port and truck it across the country, Yadav said.
    — Hira Humayun, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of holdup
Noun
  • Is a 1-game suspension enough for the mugging?
    — Zach Dean OutKick, FOXNews.com, 26 June 2026
  • While investigating this incident, CPD also learned that a shot was fired during a mugging, also in the Lincoln Park neighborhood.
    — Adam Harrington, CBS News, 7 June 2026
Definition of mugging

Browse Nearby Words

breakfronts
break in
break-in
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Break in.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/break%20in. Accessed 29 Aug. 2026.

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