breaking down

present participle of break down
1
2
3
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
7

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 breaking down Suitable for use on double spinner wheels, the rubber covers slip directly onto the exterior of the wheels to prevent them from breaking down on uneven surfaces with the help of thick, durable silicone material. Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 23 Sep. 2025 But in 2025, that script is breaking down. Sarah Hernholm, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025 The clear gel feels silky, not goopy, and holds hairs in place without breaking down into flakes. Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025 About The Daily Money Each weekday, The Daily Money delivers the best consumer and financial news from USA TODAY, breaking down complex events, providing the TLDR version, and explaining how everything from Fed rate changes to bankruptcies impacts you. Betty Lin-Fisher, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2025 Endstop triggered This is the web version of Fortune Tech, a daily newsletter breaking down the biggest players and stories shaping the future. Dave Smith, Fortune, 2 Sep. 2025 Lightning also sparks hydroxyl radicals, which help cleanse the air by breaking down methane and other gases. Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2025 Elsewhere among playoff contenders, relievers have been breaking down. Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for breaking down
Verb
  • Forecasters give Sherrill an advantage, with both the Cook Political Report and Sabato's Crystal Ball classifying the race as Leans Democrat.
    Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Sep. 2025
  • Without establishing any link to last week’s shooting, the Republican president and members of his administration have discussed classifying some groups as domestic terrorists, ordering racketeering investigations and revoking tax-exempt status for progressive nonprofits.
    Sydney Lake, Fortune, 17 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Police later sawed open the floor to expose Grimes’ decomposing 135-pound body.
    Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Sep. 2025
  • The following day, Authorities found Grimes’ decomposing body wrapped in a blanked and tarp in the crawl space.
    Christine Pelisek, PEOPLE, 23 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers.
    BestReviews, Mercury News, 26 Sep. 2025
  • Officials hope that by analyzing the results of NASA's experiment, space agencies will be better positioned to repeat the maneuver.
    Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 24 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The story centers on a young woman with gerontophobia who goes to work at a hospice after neglecting her dying parents.
    Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 24 Sep. 2025
  • The two-century-old sculpture of a dying lion, carved out of the natural rock wall, commemorates Swiss soldiers killed during the French Revolution.
    AFAR Media, AFAR Media, 24 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The secret is melting down pink Himalayan salt to combine it with maple syrup.
    Abby Hamblin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Sep. 2025
  • Some teams look fantastic before melting down within a few weeks (2024 New Orleans Saints) and others can get off to a rough start before blossoming within the first two months (2024 Washington Commanders).
    Mike Kaye September 10, Charlotte Observer, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The New York Giants recorded their first win of the 2025 NFL season in Week 4, taking down the previously unbeaten Los Angeles Chargers 21-18 on Sunday.
    Matt Audilet, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Sep. 2025
  • Dual katanas are strong against polearms while odachis specialize in taking down adversaries wielding heavy weapons.
    Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 26 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • This prevents plastic buckets from breaking, for example, or glass bottles from shattering.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 23 Sep. 2025
  • But instead of shattering plates, gunshots cut through the music and the celebration devolved into chaos — the latest instance of gun violence erupting at a seemingly safe place in the US.
    Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Combined with Africa typically ranking low on Washington’s list of priorities, the project has not garnered much attention, overtaken by bigger targets in more prominent locations.
    Alexis Akwagyiram, semafor.com, 22 Sep. 2025
  • The breed has become increasingly popular as a family pet, ranking 12th in the American Kennel Club's list of the most popular breeds in 2024.
    Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Sep. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Breaking down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/breaking%20down. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!