Thesaurus results for BREAK-IN

break in 1 of 2

verb

Definition of break in

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

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

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

The trouble for a firm like Bernhard was that the big utilities rarely put anything up for sale, so there were few chances to break in. — Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 18 Aug. 2026 Tenon’s arrest was a key break in the case, according to police. — Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 17 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

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

With the help of his best friend Cliff, Robbie decides to take matters into his own hands by robbing the Dark Hearts’ drug-dealing operation in order to provide a better life for his children and to avenge his brother’s death.

— Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 21 Aug. 2026
Owen is bamboozled by a cunning opportunist, handcuffed, and robbed in his underwear.

— Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of rob

Verb

However, there are some experts that see the cut in military drills as a positive gesture, suggesting that if the joint exercises are escalating tensions, then reducing them should lessen the chance of a conflict.

— Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 20 Aug. 2026
Michigan, with the highest caseload, successfully fought grant cuts in court.

— Yuki Noguchi, NPR, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of cut in

Noun

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
For the most part, these aren’t armed holdups but instead more like storage-facility break-ins.

— Kiel Porter, Fortune, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of holdup

Browse Nearby Words

breakfronts

break in

break-in

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Style

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

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Synonyms of break in

verb

noun

Example Sentences

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