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
When Calegari, who played 22 games for the Galaxy in 2023, gets his visa paperwork straightened out, coach Greg Vanney could start five players who weren’t in a Galaxy uniform when MLS returned from its seven-week World Cup break in mid-July. — Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026 The homeowners, fearing someone was attempting to break in, called 911. — Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026
Noun
The fatal shooting by police responding to a report of a possible break-in distinguishes Pysher’s death from several other instances in which residents have shot people who mistakenly showed up at their homes. — Holly Ramer, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026 The Upper Pottsgrove Township Police Department responded to a call about a possible break-in at a home on Snyder Road. — Kelsie Cairns, FOXNews.com, 26 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
  • There is perhaps a subtle critique here, of the predatory instincts of the filmmaker towards their subject, of the desire to invade someone else’s life and shape their reality according to your own will.
    — Jessica Kiang, Variety, 6 Sep. 2026
  • After Allied forces invaded Normandy, the cover of this magazine was mocked up in Bayeux-style stitching.
    — John Phipps, New Yorker, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of invade
Verb
  • Holmes has gone six innings in four of his past six starts that were not interrupted by rain.
    — Jesús Cano, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • And the duo’s domestic bliss is interrupted by the arrival of a third party — their older sister Ruthie (Stephanie Hsu), an uptight lawyer whose midlife crisis brings her down to her brother and sister’s level.
    — Alison Herman, Variety, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of interrupt
Noun
  • The police will have to disclose only reports of crimes that took place on the campus itself, and not reports concerning burglary, larceny and other offenses, which the judge deemed irrelevant.
    — Joaquin Sapien, ProPublica, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Chicago police are investigating a string of car burglaries that occurred on the city's Near West Side this week.
    — Charlie De Mar, CBS News, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of burglary
Verb
  • Daily life on death row nearly robbed him of his sanity, Duncan said.
    — Richard A. Webster, ProPublica, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Others argue restrictions could rob the world of a utopian future.
    — Christopher Cann, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of rob
Verb
  • Stricker Auto Parts made sure every VIN was removed from the body shells, which employees like Woodley then cut in half.
    — Caleb Jacobs, The Drive, 3 Sep. 2026
  • The drop coincides with a 27% cut in enforcement and collection staffing at the IRS, as part of Elon Musk's campaign to boost government efficiency.
    — Scott Horsley, NPR, 2 Sep. 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 10 Sep. 2026.

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