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

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

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

Thanks to their magical abilities, potions, and supernatural powers, these girls solve crime, disappearances, burglaries and much more.

— Kevin Giraud, Variety, 10 Sep. 2026
Perkins was initially charged with second-degree felony murder, attempted first-degree robbery, two counts of armed criminal action, first-degree burglary and unlawful possession of a firearm.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of burglary

Verb

Israel robs children of their smallest joys because joy is the seed of hope, and that is how the body learns that captivity is not the natural condition of life.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2026
After 36 years, DNA testing has revealed the name and fate of an armed intruder who robbed and raped a woman in her home, according to police in North Carolina.

— Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of rob

Verb

The primary targets for cuts in science are NASA’s funding for operating missions, especially those well beyond their original design lives, and support for partnerships on international missions.

— Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 10 Sep. 2026
Annual admissions exceeded 200 million before COVID-19 but were cut in half last year.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of cut in

Noun

Another component Langdon has to consider that could add to the holdup is Detroit’s desire to save money for Ausar Thompson’s impending extension.

— Hunter Patterson, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
But as the Paramount-WBD merger shows, with the deal now held up because of an antitrust suit brought by state AGs, any wrench in the process can become a major holdup to dealmaking.

— Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 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 13 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of break in

verb

noun

Example Sentences

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Cite this Entry

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