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
The change in royal protocol regarding the flags above Buckingham Palace wasn’t the only break in protocol the week after Diana’s death. — Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 28 July 2026 She is expected to reach a conclusion when Parliament returns from its summer break in September. — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 27 July 2026
Noun
Borg was identified as a suspect in a February break-in of the same building, but he hasn’t been charged, court records show. — Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 21 July 2026 In February 2025, three men alleged to be part of a South American theft group were indicted in the break-in at Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow’s home. — Mirna Alsharif, NBC news, 19 July 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
  • Trump has repeatedly threatened to invade Kharg Island or otherwise broaden military operations throughout the conflict as Tehran has continued launching missiles and drones at ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz.
    — Carter Schroppe, The Washington Examiner, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Many invasive plants have invaded natural areas from gardens.
    — Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of invade
Verb
  • Across 17 tracks, guitar riffs curdle into sheets of distortion, melodies dissolve into electronic hiss, and grooves are chronically interrupted by fresh rhythmic detours.
    — Arman Khan, Pitchfork, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Lombard’s time in Triple-A was interrupted by a left finger injury that sidelined him for nearly a month.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of interrupt
Noun
  • Lackey was charged with unarmed burglary of an unoccupied conveyance, criminal mischief and interruption of critical infrastructure, according to the booking report.
    — Ayesha Ali, ABC News, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Lackey is accused of burglary, criminal mischief and interrupting critical infrastructure.
    — Sofia Saric, Miami Herald, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of burglary
Verb
  • Thus within Haitian culture, zombies were victims, robbed of independent will by cruel masters.
    — Dennis Harvey, Variety, 31 July 2026
  • Parkinson’s is a neurologic disease that robs people of control over their movements.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 28 July 2026
Definition of rob
Verb
  • After the Federal Reserve issued three rate cuts in the final four months of 2025 – which followed the same pattern from 2024 – many expected the rate climate to continue to cool into 2026.
    — Matt Richardson, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Although the district reported substantial cuts in its third interim budget report, many of the improvements came from one-time savings, and the district was still projected to remain in the red.
    — Chaewon Chung, Sacbee.com, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of cut in
Noun
  • The holdup for Blanche came a day after the Senate confirmed Jay Clayton as director of national intelligence.
    — Alex Harring, CNBC, 30 July 2026
  • Yet the biggest holdup by far is the bill’s ethics provisions, which would govern how lawmakers and the president make money on crypto.
    — Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 29 July 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 8 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of break in for Spanish Speakers

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