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
Chewing, as well as enzymes in your saliva, begin the process of breaking down food, which is then swallowed to travel through your esophagus into your stomach.
—
Kristen Gasnick,
Verywell Health,
24 June 2026
Beating top teams is one (important) thing, breaking down more defensive sides is another.
—
Andy Mitten,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
But the company touts itself as a more sophisticated method than merely detecting if a work is present in training data, rather breaking down on a more granular level how the works are being used.
—
Ethan Millman,
HollywoodReporter,
10 June 2026
Following years of Xbox breaking down platform barriers for its games with competitors PlayStation and Nintendo under longtime chief Phil Spencer, the move was a radical change by new Xbox CEO Asha Sharma.
—
Jennifer Maas,
Variety,
10 June 2026
On April 9, officials with the archdiocese provided Leawood Police with a flash drive containing the church’s financial records, the affidavit said, along with a spreadsheet breaking down all financial activity from 2021 through 2025.
—
Judy L. Thomas,
Kansas City Star,
10 June 2026
The wasps build their nests by breaking down plant and wood fibers to form a papery substance.
—
Patricia S York,
Southern Living,
3 June 2026
Jinky appeared stunned — and repeatedly asked whether the money was real before breaking down in tears.
—
Kelly McGreal,
FOXNews.com,
27 May 2026
Macro thesis Disinflation trade is breaking down Tuesday’s CPI report showed that the inflation shock is no longer just about energy.
—
Tony Zhang,
CNBC,
13 May 2026
Kristen Gasnick,
Verywell Health,
24 June 2026
Beating top teams is one (important) thing, breaking down more defensive sides is another.
—
Andy Mitten,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
But the company touts itself as a more sophisticated method than merely detecting if a work is present in training data, rather breaking down on a more granular level how the works are being used.
—
Ethan Millman,
HollywoodReporter,
10 June 2026
Following years of Xbox breaking down platform barriers for its games with competitors PlayStation and Nintendo under longtime chief Phil Spencer, the move was a radical change by new Xbox CEO Asha Sharma.
—
Jennifer Maas,
Variety,
10 June 2026
On April 9, officials with the archdiocese provided Leawood Police with a flash drive containing the church’s financial records, the affidavit said, along with a spreadsheet breaking down all financial activity from 2021 through 2025.
—
Judy L. Thomas,
Kansas City Star,
10 June 2026
The wasps build their nests by breaking down plant and wood fibers to form a papery substance.
—
Patricia S York,
Southern Living,
3 June 2026
Jinky appeared stunned — and repeatedly asked whether the money was real before breaking down in tears.
—
Kelly McGreal,
FOXNews.com,
27 May 2026
Macro thesis Disinflation trade is breaking down Tuesday’s CPI report showed that the inflation shock is no longer just about energy.
—
Tony Zhang,
CNBC,
13 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for breaking down
Verb
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The team began sorting through possible origins for this high-energy neutrino particle by acting like cosmic forensic detectives, classifying the detection of the particle as a crime scene and hunting for potential clues that point toward a culprit.
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Researchers debuted an inventory for classifying apocalyptic belief, comprising anthropogenic causality, theogenic causality, imminence, personal control, and the question of whether the end is a good or bad thing.
Verb
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Clogged Drains On the other hand, a smelly drain that gets frequent use may have a clog or decomposing matter in the pipes.
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Officials warned that decomposing fish could create potential health hazards for visitors entering the area or attempting to fish.
Verb
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The researchers evaluated how GLP-1 weight-loss drugs impact reproductive hormones and metabolic outcomes, analyzing data of men between the ages of 18 and 65 who were taking one of the medications, according to a press release.
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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers.
Verb
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The best parts of the film, scripted with little distinction by Ana Nogueira, are the flashbacks to Kara’s final months on what’s left of her dying home planet Krypton, or more specifically, the floating colony Argo City, also headed for destruction.
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North Carolina’s elderly are dying by suicide more frequently than in years prior, according to a new report.
Verb
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What beef tallow is and how it’s made Beef tallow is a white, shelf-stable cooking fat made by rendering — or melting down — the fatty tissue that surrounds a cow’s organs, according to Michelle Crouch at AARP.
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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.
Verb
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The ensuing public backlash led the Senate on Wednesday to unanimously agree with a measure that would block the government from taking down the OOI.
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The board authorized the change to the uniform 80 mph speed limit in a 3-2 vote, directing ITD staff to begin taking down the truck speed limit signs.
Verb
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The brand was already the most searched name on Ulta’s site before the line expanded to the retailer’s 1,500-plus doors in February, shattering sales records and becoming the chain’s largest brand launch ever.
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Ratings from the opening match went through the roof, shattering records.
Verb
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Some human rights experts have said that detaining such a high-ranking and high-profile doctor has left a chilling effect.
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The list considered 13 indicators and weights to measure global research performance and reputation, ranking the world's 2,250 top universities.
Cite this Entry
“Breaking down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/breaking%20down. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.
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