1
as in anxieties
a mental or nervous collapse
if you don't ease your workload, you're going to have a breakdown
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in analyses
the separation and identification of the parts of a whole
the boss wanted a detailed breakdown of the sales figures
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 breakdowns
Staff shortages and equipment breakdowns are just some examples.
—
Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 27 Feb. 2026
But perimeter breakdowns proved costly.
—C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 27 Feb. 2026
The astrological shift is often associated with communication breakdowns, travel mishaps and a generally ominous energy.
—Faith Bugenhagen, Austin American Statesman, 26 Feb. 2026
From tender ballads to barn-burning breakdowns, experience the raw virtuosity and close-harmony storytelling of bluegrass elevated by the rich, full sound of the Pops.
—Cincinnati Enquirer, 26 Feb. 2026
Times investigations found breakdowns in how the Los Angeles Fire Department deployed resources to the blaze and how crews failed to monitor the remnants of a previous fire that would reignite to burn through the neighborhood.
—Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 22 Feb. 2026
Around that time, public demonstrations of the humanoids often drew skepticism, such as a robot marathon in April that made headlines for stumbles, crashes and breakdowns.
—Dylan Butts,matthew Chin, CNBC, 20 Feb. 2026
Companies continued to publicly share their demographics for years after Jackson’s first push, and Jackson followed up with varying success, asking for more data on board and C-suite diversity, gender and race breakdowns of suppliers and contractors, and employee retention.
—Jacqueline Munis, Fortune, 19 Feb. 2026
Sheriff Marian Brown declined to explain what is being done to prevent similar breakdowns.
—Dallas Morning News, 19 Feb. 2026
Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 27 Feb. 2026
But perimeter breakdowns proved costly.
—C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 27 Feb. 2026
The astrological shift is often associated with communication breakdowns, travel mishaps and a generally ominous energy.
—Faith Bugenhagen, Austin American Statesman, 26 Feb. 2026
From tender ballads to barn-burning breakdowns, experience the raw virtuosity and close-harmony storytelling of bluegrass elevated by the rich, full sound of the Pops.
—Cincinnati Enquirer, 26 Feb. 2026
Times investigations found breakdowns in how the Los Angeles Fire Department deployed resources to the blaze and how crews failed to monitor the remnants of a previous fire that would reignite to burn through the neighborhood.
—Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 22 Feb. 2026
Around that time, public demonstrations of the humanoids often drew skepticism, such as a robot marathon in April that made headlines for stumbles, crashes and breakdowns.
—Dylan Butts,matthew Chin, CNBC, 20 Feb. 2026
Companies continued to publicly share their demographics for years after Jackson’s first push, and Jackson followed up with varying success, asking for more data on board and C-suite diversity, gender and race breakdowns of suppliers and contractors, and employee retention.
—Jacqueline Munis, Fortune, 19 Feb. 2026
Sheriff Marian Brown declined to explain what is being done to prevent similar breakdowns.
—Dallas Morning News, 19 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for breakdowns
Noun
-
The state alleges Darnell failed to conduct individualized suitability analyses and did not disclose conflicts of interest tied to commission payments.—
Zachary Bynum,
CBS News,
26 Feb. 2026
-
Trump won the popular vote for the first time and, according to multiple analyses, did better with sporadic voters than with consistent voters.—
Marc Novicoff,
The Atlantic,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The South Florida Sun Sentinel typically highlights restaurant inspections conducted by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation in Broward and Palm Beach counties.—
Kari Barnett,
Sun Sentinel,
26 Feb. 2026
-
The second agreement, which will be enforceable in court, will address ongoing inspections and accountability measures and improved lines of communication between property management, the town of Rocky Hill and residents.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The administration has since indicated that McDonald would instead report to the deputy attorney general -- like all other division heads -- though his confirmation hearing left open many questions about exactly what role Vance will have in overseeing investigations and prosecutions.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
26 Feb. 2026
-
Victoria Jones expressed concern regarding safety, citing recent federal investigations into Waymo competitor Tesla’s self-driving software.—
Chase Jordan,
Charlotte Observer,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Before Cassini’s mission, astronomers believed that gravitational disturbances inflicted by neighbor Neptune’s orbit caused Saturn’s tilt over time.—
Jacopo Prisco,
CNN Money,
23 Feb. 2026
-
This would have allowed a pilot to keep flying for hours, without disturbances.—
The Week UK,
TheWeek,
22 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Breakdowns.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/breakdowns. Accessed 2 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
