1
as in classifying
to arrange or assign according to type
when presented with the pile of files, the first thing he did was to break them down by month, order within the month, and region
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in decomposing
to go through decomposition
the enamel of a human tooth will begin to break down when exposed to sugar for too long
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in analyzing
to identify and examine the basic elements or parts of (something) especially for discovering interrelationships
if we break the problem down into what appear to be three aspects of it, we'll have a better chance of solving it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in dying
to stop functioning
the computer finally broke down and had to be replaced
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in melting down
to yield to mental or emotional stress
began to break down when he realized that he was on the verge of bankruptcy
Synonyms & Similar Words
6
as in taking down
to take apart
the crew was breaking down the party tent when we arrived
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in shattering
to cause to break with violence and much noise
firefighters had to break down the wall to rescue the kitten
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of breaking down
Along the way, Neuhaus started to see a real-time map of where the nonfiction industry was breaking down across distribution, marketing, and social.
—
Dana Harris-Bridson, IndieWire, 22 Apr. 2026
Gelatin is created by partially breaking down collagen.
—Amber J. Tresca, Verywell Health, 20 Apr. 2026
Avdija breaking down the defense and completing a bee-line drive while being fouled with 16 seconds left — was vintage Avdija.
—Doug Haller, New York Times, 15 Apr. 2026
While both Riddle and Fritz were largely silent about the rumors on their personal social media channels, the fashion It-girl snuck into the comment section of a recent post breaking down the breakup rumors.
—Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 7 Apr. 2026
However, only a few metals—mainly platinum—can perform efficiently in such environments without breaking down.
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 26 Mar. 2026
McCarthy, who’s road-tripped from his home in New York City, proceeds cautiously, stepping gently around the mess and breaking down boxes.
—Malina Saval, Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 2026
The episode then ends with Carolyn breaking down, begging John not to leave.
—Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 25 Mar. 2026
Old Man Ross over here is literally breaking down on the job.
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Mar. 2026
Dana Harris-Bridson, IndieWire, 22 Apr. 2026
Gelatin is created by partially breaking down collagen.
—Amber J. Tresca, Verywell Health, 20 Apr. 2026
Avdija breaking down the defense and completing a bee-line drive while being fouled with 16 seconds left — was vintage Avdija.
—Doug Haller, New York Times, 15 Apr. 2026
While both Riddle and Fritz were largely silent about the rumors on their personal social media channels, the fashion It-girl snuck into the comment section of a recent post breaking down the breakup rumors.
—Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 7 Apr. 2026
However, only a few metals—mainly platinum—can perform efficiently in such environments without breaking down.
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 26 Mar. 2026
McCarthy, who’s road-tripped from his home in New York City, proceeds cautiously, stepping gently around the mess and breaking down boxes.
—Malina Saval, Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 2026
The episode then ends with Carolyn breaking down, begging John not to leave.
—Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 25 Mar. 2026
Old Man Ross over here is literally breaking down on the job.
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for breaking down
Verb
-
Whether the law survives looming legal challenges—rooted in a 1933 state Supreme Court ruling classifying income as property—remains an open question.—
Catherina Gioino,
Fortune,
3 Apr. 2026
-
By classifying sports betting as a public health issue and imposing rigid federal standards, the proposal also significantly limits the autonomy of the states, which have been primarily responsible for the legalization and regulation of this sector since 2018.—
Cláudia Nunes,
The Orlando Sentinel,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
D4vd’s parents are coming to his defense after the platinum-selling singer was arrested Thursday on suspicion of murdering Celeste Rivas Hernandez, the 14-year-old girl found dismembered and decomposing in the trunk of his Tesla seven months ago.—
Nancy Dillon,
Rolling Stone,
17 Apr. 2026
-
The decomposing body of the teenage girl was found in the trunk of Burke’s abandoned Tesla last September, a day after her 15th birthday.—
Alejandra Gularte,
Vulture,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
This technique works by shining light on plant tissues and analyzing how different compounds absorb and re-emit that light.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
19 Apr. 2026
-
Beyond the zodiac lyric in the bridge, listeners have also been analyzing other lyrics for possible ties to Partridge.—
Allison DeGrushe,
StyleCaster,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Call did get up in time to return the ball to the infield, but the Giants scored a run on what was scored as a sacrifice fly, then another run on a dying fly ball that dropped just in front of Tucker for a single.—
Bill Shaikin,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Apr. 2026
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The 48-year-old killer of the MIT physicist, who in a video confession expressed vague grievances dating back to his early adulthood, also shot 11 people at Brown University, killing two, before dying by suicide.—
Dan Adler,
Vanity Fair,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Practice non-reaction This can feel counterintuitive, but sometimes the best strategy is to take a pause and not immediately react or intervene when your child is melting down.—
Wendy Wisner,
Parents,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Sidestep a financial wrangle if someone is melting down.—
Tribune Content Agency,
Baltimore Sun,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Brandon Steiner is in charge of taking down and selling items from Highmark Stadium.—
Sam Brock,
NBC news,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Playing on the second night of a back-to-back at Kia Center after taking down the Suns less than 24 hours earlier, the Magic fell behind by as many as 31 points in a 130-101 loss to the Hawks, who secured the four-game regular-season series sweep between the Southeast Division foes.—
Jason Beede,
The Orlando Sentinel,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The following week at the San Jose Invitational, Wilkins broke his own world record on three consecutive throws, shattering the 70-meter and 230-feet barriers along the way.—
Scott M. Reid,
Oc Register,
17 Apr. 2026
-
The actress said that one night, her daughter, Luca, 28, witnessed her shattering framed photos of herself and Abrams and then using the glass shards to self-harm.—
Hannah Sacks,
PEOPLE,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Alejandro Boyco, a researcher at the Institute of Peruvian Studies, said the Senate will appoint and sanction high-ranking officials, including the country’s ombudsman, Constitutional Court members and some central bank directors.—
Regina Garcia Cano,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Engel served as ranking member and chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee in the final years of his tenure.—
Mark Prussin,
CBS News,
10 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Breaking down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/breaking%20down. Accessed 24 Apr. 2026.
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