Synonyms of break
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as in to disrupt 
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as in to stop
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as in to reduce
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as in to decipher
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as in to pause
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as in to plow
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as in to violate
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as in to solve
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as in to damage
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as in to die
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as in to retreat
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as in to wear
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as in to circulate
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as in to ruin
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as in to begin
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as in to veer
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as in to depress
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as in to exceed
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as in to surface
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as in disrupting
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as in stopping
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as in reducing
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as in deciphering
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as in pausing
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as in plowing
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as in violating
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as in solving
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as in damaging
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as in dying
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as in retreating
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as in wearing
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as in spreading
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as in bankrupting
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as in originating
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as in veering
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as in lowering
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as in exceeding
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as in surfacing
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as in pause
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as in vacation
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as in gap
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as in opportunity
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as in accident
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as in escape
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Example Sentences
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Phrases Containing
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Entries Near
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Related Articles
1
as in to disrupt
to cause to separate into pieces usually suddenly or forcibly
hated telling her that I had broken her favorite glass vase
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2
as in to stop
to bring (as an action or operation) to an immediate end
the final vote broke the deadlock
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3
as in to reduce
to bring to a lower grade or rank
the captain was broken to lieutenant commander for disobeying a direct order from his group commander
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4
as in to decipher
to change (as a secret message) from code into ordinary language
Alan Turing and the Bletchley Park mathematicians broke the Enigma code being used by the Nazis
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5
as in to pause
to come to a temporary halt in one's activity
she broke from her ruminations to find that it was already dinnertime
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6
7
as in to violate
to fail to keep
had to confess that he had broken his promise not to share their conversation with anyone
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8
as in to solve
to find an answer for through reasoning
Professor Bates broke the problem when she realized that it was possible to synthesize the necessary compounds
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9
as in to damage
to reduce the soundness, effectiveness, or perfection of
I broke a tooth on the hard candy
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10
as in to die
to stop functioning
after working for 30 years, the pump simply broke one day
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11
as in to retreat
to hasten away from something dangerous or frightening
the herd of gazelles broke when they saw the lions racing toward them from the ridge above
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12
as in to wear
to use up all the physical energy of
the trek up the mountain just about broke me
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13
as in to circulate
to become known
as soon as the scandal broke, the CEO fled the country
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14
15
as in to begin
to come into existence
the crisis had passed, and a new day was breaking
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16
as in to veer
to depart abruptly from a straight line or course
the running back broke to his left before running out of bounds
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17
as in to depress
to diminish the price or value of
distressing economic news that will break many energy stocks
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18
as in to exceed
to go beyond the limit of
a menu with prices that is likely to break the budgets of all but the wealthiest of diners
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1
as in pause
a momentary halt in an activity
there was a brief break after the first movement as the doors to the concert hall were opened and the latecomers were allowed in
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2
as in vacation
a period during which the usual routine of school or work is suspended
most of the students at the boarding school are going home for Christmas break
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3
as in gap
an open space in a barrier (as a wall or hedge)
the rancher repaired the break in the fence where the horse had gotten through
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4
5
as in accident
an unexpected benefit or advantage resulting from the uncertain course of events
a guy who just seems to get all the breaks in life
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6
as in escape
the act or an instance of getting free from danger or confinement
a desperate break from that hellhole
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1
as in disrupting
to cause to separate into pieces usually suddenly or forcibly
hated telling her that I had broken her favorite glass vase
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in stopping
to bring (as an action or operation) to an immediate end
the final vote broke the deadlock
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in reducing
to bring to a lower grade or rank
the captain was broken to lieutenant commander for disobeying a direct order from his group commander
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in deciphering
to change (as a secret message) from code into ordinary language
Alan Turing and the Bletchley Park mathematicians broke the Enigma code being used by the Nazis
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in pausing
to come to a temporary halt in one's activity
she broke from her ruminations to find that it was already dinnertime
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in plowing
to cut into and turn over the sod of (a piece of land) using a bladed implement
farmers once broke fields with horse-drawn plows
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7
as in violating
to fail to keep
had to confess that he had broken his promise not to share their conversation with anyone
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8
as in solving
to find an answer for through reasoning
Professor Bates broke the problem when she realized that it was possible to synthesize the necessary compounds
Synonyms & Similar Words
9
as in damaging
to reduce the soundness, effectiveness, or perfection of
I broke a tooth on the hard candy
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
10
as in dying
to stop functioning
after working for 30 years, the pump simply broke one day
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
11
as in retreating
to hasten away from something dangerous or frightening
the herd of gazelles broke when they saw the lions racing toward them from the ridge above
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
12
as in wearing
to use up all the physical energy of
the trek up the mountain just about broke me
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
13
as in spreading
to become known
as soon as the scandal broke, the CEO fled the country
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14
as in bankrupting
to cause to lose one's fortune and become unable to pay one's debts
another bad investment could break him
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15
as in originating
to come into existence
the crisis had passed, and a new day was breaking
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16
as in veering
to depart abruptly from a straight line or course
the running back broke to his left before running out of bounds
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
17
as in lowering
to diminish the price or value of
distressing economic news that will break many energy stocks
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18
as in exceeding
to go beyond the limit of
a menu with prices that is likely to break the budgets of all but the wealthiest of diners
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19
as in surfacing
to penetrate the surface (as of water) from below
dolphins were breaking all around the boat
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Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of break
Sean Gregory, Time, 7 June 2025
Economists predicted that the United States would break free of its long-running housing slump in 2025.
—Luke Broadwater Eric Schmitt Glenn Thrush Abbie Vansickle, New York Times, 7 June 2025
Jay Cannon, USA Today, 27 May 2025
Chances arrived at both ends before the decisive moment, David Silva bouncing a close-range volley over the bar before the break, while Kenwyne Jones toe-poked a shot into a sprawling Joe Hart — Stoke’s only on-target attempt of the game.
—Thom Harris, New York Times, 17 May 2025
Sean Keeler, The Denver Post, 16 Nov. 2024
Lacking a tie-breaking vote could delay action at the FTC, such as when the commission was divided over 7-Eleven’s $21 billion purchase of Speedway stores in 2021.
—William Gavin, Quartz, 14 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for break
Verb
Serving for the set at 5-4, Sabalenka couldn’t finish off Gauff, who saved two set points and finally broke Sabalenka on her fifth chance.
—Sean Gregory, Time, 7 June 2025
Economists predicted that the United States would break free of its long-running housing slump in 2025.
—Luke Broadwater Eric Schmitt Glenn Thrush Abbie Vansickle, New York Times, 7 June 2025
Noun
Here’s a look at Tuesday, May 27, 2025 results for each game:
Winning Mega Millions numbers from May 27 drawing
06-28-34-48-62, Mega Ball: 09
Need a break?
—Jay Cannon, USA Today, 27 May 2025
Chances arrived at both ends before the decisive moment, David Silva bouncing a close-range volley over the bar before the break, while Kenwyne Jones toe-poked a shot into a sprawling Joe Hart — Stoke’s only on-target attempt of the game.
—Thom Harris, New York Times, 17 May 2025
Verb
Without breaking stride, Hunter blew past four more Utah defenders and hopped into the end zone, a broken play transformed into a work of art.
—Sean Keeler, The Denver Post, 16 Nov. 2024
Lacking a tie-breaking vote could delay action at the FTC, such as when the commission was divided over 7-Eleven’s $21 billion purchase of Speedway stores in 2021.
—William Gavin, Quartz, 14 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for break
Recent Examples of Synonyms for break
Noun
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In addition to the hiring freeze, University President Ron Daniels also announced a pause in annual pay increases for employees earning $80,000 or more, a slowing of capital projects by 10% to 20%, and spending cuts for travel, events, food, and supplies.—
Paul Weinstein Jr,
Forbes.com,
7 June 2025
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The pause and the every-other-year scheme have pushed Tarrant County’s next property appraisals to 2027.—
Cody Copeland,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
6 June 2025
Noun
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Compared to other vacations, cruises are relatively long and expensive and involve many more moving parts — from getting to the departure point to your stay onboard to visiting multiple ports of call (often in foreign countries).—
Jason Stauffer,
CNBC,
1 June 2025
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For many of us, summer vacation is an excuse to sleep in and enjoy the relaxed schedule that so often accompanies time away from school or work.—
Betsy Cribb Watson,
Southern Living,
31 May 2025
Noun
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Their defensemen don’t allow much gap between them and opposing forwards.—
Dave Hyde,
Sun Sentinel,
4 June 2025
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In the footage from the encounter, the snake is entangled between the basket's gaps, winding in and out of the container's spaces.—
Rachel Raposas,
People.com,
4 June 2025
Noun
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Under the deal, the Global Networks firm will keep a 20% stake in the studios company, giving it revenue opportunities to help pay down debt.—
Stephen Battaglio,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2025
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Those who take advantage of the opportunity can count on Aston Martin to store, maintain, and transport their vehicles to Valkyrie LM Performance Club driving venues.—
Bryan Hood,
Robb Report,
9 June 2025
Noun
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Dogs can create traffic jams, cause (or worse, have) accidents in narrow aisles, and disrupt delicate plants on display.—
Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott,
Southern Living,
1 June 2025
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Medical coverage $75,000 in emergency accident and sickness coverage $250,000 in evacuation and repatriation coverage $750 in emergency dental treatment coverage Pre-existing conditions No coverage for pre-existing conditions within 60 days of your policy’s start date.—
Jason Stauffer,
CNBC,
1 June 2025
Noun
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Authorities said the woman knew of Massey's escape plans in advance, communicated with him after his escape, and misled authorities.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
4 June 2025
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She was arrested after allegedly helping Massey after his escape, Louisiana State Police said.—
Holly Yan,
CNN Money,
3 June 2025
Noun
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Fewer Roles And Longer Recruitment Processes The shift from the hiring highs of 2021 to today’s lull has been sharp.—
Nadia Edwards-Dashti,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2025
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The shelter then faced a lull, as previous applicants had already adopted other pets in need, and no immediate matches surfaced that could suit Thor.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 May 2025
Noun
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Now three years into its existence, the ways to honor this federal holiday are evolving – especially given rapid challenges to civil rights, social justice and how diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives are being rolled back.—
Lisa Vernon Sparks,
Charlotte Observer,
30 May 2025
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From December’s average prices being close to $3 per gallon to rising to nearly $3.30 per gallon in the winter, fuel costs have increased and decreased many times since the Christmas holiday.—
Washington Examiner Staff,
The Washington Examiner,
29 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Break.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/break. Accessed 12 Jun. 2025.
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