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 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
Early pilling on high-traffic cushions is being mistaken for a defect rather than a break-in phase. — Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 22 July 2026 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 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
  • Some tin-pot tyrant decides their country really owns part of another and invades.
    — Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Cambodia’s archenemy was neighboring Vietnam, which eventually invaded to oust the Khmer Rouge in 1979.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of invade
Verb
  • While this unfolds, Rebecca is trying to carve out some quality time with Matthijs via a quickie in her office that Ted has the bad timing to interrupt.
    — Keith Phipps, Vulture, 19 Aug. 2026
  • The objective is to preserve access while reducing disruption and ensuring that information does not depend on a handful of employees who are most comfortable interrupting the boss.
    — Rodger Dean Duncan, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of interrupt
Noun
  • The man faces one count of third-degree burglary and is not in custody.
    — Anthony Bettin, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • The burglary happened early on June 2 at Hushcha’s studio in Minneapolis’s North Loop neighborhood.
    — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of burglary
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
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 23 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of break in for Spanish Speakers

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