1
as in invading
to enter a house or building by force usually with illegal intent
the burglars broke in by smashing a window
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in interrupting
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of breaking in
Settling Manning down — as well as a host of inexperienced starters on offense that includes breaking in four guys on the O-line — would go a long way toward Texas looking like the team that came into this season with such lofty expectations.
—
Bruce Feldman, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
Many locals already have tight circles, and breaking in takes patience and persistence.
—Cepee Tabibian, CNBC, 28 Sep. 2025
The Italian was the first to shake up the scoreboard, breaking in the fifth and then holding serve for a 4-2 lead.
—Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 21 Sep. 2025
Pushing and carrying and pulling heavy weights taught me to get comfortable with breaking in order to become stronger, more resilient.
—Literary Hub, 15 Sep. 2025
At left guard and left tackle, the offense is breaking in a second-year player who’s a former tackle and a rookie in San Diego’s Josh Simmons, who last played a regular-season game in October.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Sep. 2025
And also, at the exact same moment, your heart is breaking in half because one day, lots of days, actually, your child is going to go out and enjoy that absolutely beautiful, mind-blowing, magical world.
—Heidi Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2025
Bruce Feldman, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
Many locals already have tight circles, and breaking in takes patience and persistence.
—Cepee Tabibian, CNBC, 28 Sep. 2025
The Italian was the first to shake up the scoreboard, breaking in the fifth and then holding serve for a 4-2 lead.
—Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 21 Sep. 2025
Pushing and carrying and pulling heavy weights taught me to get comfortable with breaking in order to become stronger, more resilient.
—Literary Hub, 15 Sep. 2025
At left guard and left tackle, the offense is breaking in a second-year player who’s a former tackle and a rookie in San Diego’s Josh Simmons, who last played a regular-season game in October.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Sep. 2025
And also, at the exact same moment, your heart is breaking in half because one day, lots of days, actually, your child is going to go out and enjoy that absolutely beautiful, mind-blowing, magical world.
—Heidi Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for breaking in
Verb
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Licensing officials also investigated educators accused of grooming behaviors like flirting with children, spending non-school time alone and isolated with students, or invading students’ personal space by rubbing their shoulders, thighs and lower backs.—
Danielle DuClos,
jsonline.com,
17 Oct. 2025
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Additionally, the invading trees and shrubs also compete with prairie plants for light, water, and space, often pushing the grassland plants out of the way and diminishing the habitat options available to animals that depend on native plants.—
Kelli Bender,
PEOPLE,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Biotech firms are also trying to halt the process, but at a different point — by interrupting various communication pathways involved in cell death.—
Jon Hamilton,
NPR,
16 Oct. 2025
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Dickinson says, interrupting his story.—
Carrie Battan,
Vulture,
6 Oct. 2025
Verb
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But what the Mets really specialized in was stealing, robbing banks, selling drugs, planting evidence, doing Mob hits and selling civil-service exams, among other rackets.—
Howie Carr,
Boston Herald,
15 Oct. 2025
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That said, his highlight reel plays in 2025 included robbing at least four home runs.—
Jeff Sanders,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Breaking in.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/breaking%20in. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.
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