Synonyms of breaks
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as in disrupts 
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as in stops
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as in reduces
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as in deciphers
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as in pauses
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as in plows
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as in violates
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as in solves
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as in damages
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as in dies
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as in retreats
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as in wears
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as in circulates
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as in bankrupts
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as in begins
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as in veers
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as in lowers
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as in exceeds
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as in surfaces
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as in lulls
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as in vacations
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as in gaps
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as in opportunities
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as in accidents
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as in escapes
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Example Sentences
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Entries Near
1
as in disrupts
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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Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in stops
to bring (as an action or operation) to an immediate end
the final vote broke the deadlock
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3
as in reduces
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 deciphers
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 pauses
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 violates
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 solves
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 damages
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 dies
to stop functioning
after working for 30 years, the pump simply broke one day
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
11
as in retreats
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
12
as in wears
to use up all the physical energy of
the trek up the mountain just about broke me
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13
as in circulates
to become known
as soon as the scandal broke, the CEO fled the country
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
14
as in bankrupts
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 begins
to come into existence
the crisis had passed, and a new day was breaking
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16
as in veers
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 lowers
to diminish the price or value of
distressing economic news that will break many energy stocks
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
18
as in exceeds
to go beyond the limit of
a menu with prices that is likely to break the budgets of all but the wealthiest of diners
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in lulls
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in vacations
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 gaps
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 accidents
an unexpected benefit or advantage resulting from the uncertain course of events
a guy who just seems to get all the breaks in life
Synonyms & Similar Words
6
as in escapes
the act or an instance of getting free from danger or confinement
a desperate break from that hellhole
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of breaks
Tope Folarin, The Atlantic, 8 Nov. 2025
Director Dan Trachtenberg breaks it down for us.
—Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Nov. 2025
Second goal breaks Charlotte’s back The second half opened with a disastrous sequence for Charlotte.
—Colin Cerniglia, Charlotte Observer, 7 Nov. 2025
Anything else breaks the fast, stopping all benefits.
—Bryant Stamford, Louisville Courier Journal, 6 Nov. 2025
Gold Coast An hour south, the Gold Coast is all contrasts—a skyline of high-rises scraping the sand of some of the world’s best surf breaks.
—Alli Forde, Travel + Leisure, 6 Nov. 2025
However, the trouble starts when governments interfere and tell funds to invest too much at home, which breaks the delicate balance that fund managers have calculated between risk and reward, said Sébastien Betermier, executive director at the International Centre for Pension Management (ICPM).
—Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 4 Nov. 2025
Depending on the strength of nonconference opponents like Grand Canyon and San Francisco, Saint Louis could even be an at-large caliber team if all breaks right.
—The Athletic College Basketball Staff, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025
While this textile breaks the rule and its unique lattice pattern allows the textile to expand around the arm rather than clamp down, according to researchers.
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 31 Oct. 2025
Clayton Davis, Variety, 7 Nov. 2025
Homecooked meals with Lido’s parents and dips into the nearby fjord filled the gaps during recording breaks.
—Michael Saponara, Billboard, 7 Nov. 2025
Drivers plan their routes with animals in mind—more frequent breaks, less time alone, and quiet overnight stops.
—Maria Williams, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
Even the most devoted caregiver needs breaks.
—Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 5 Nov. 2025
Tijuca National Park is also home to Barros’s favorite stretch of sand, Prainha, a small golden sand beach known among surf enthusiasts for its top-notch reef and beach breaks.
—Dobrina Zhekova, Travel + Leisure, 5 Nov. 2025
Others have complained of breaks, tears, contusions, and concussions.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Nov. 2025
During grooming, the dog is continuously monitored, with breaks, treats, and positive reinforcement used to keep the experience stress-free.
—Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
Injuries, illness, bad breaks and bounces can jam up a season, but the best teams often navigate their way through the minefields.
—Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 30 Oct. 2025
Verb
Soon after, a desperate man named Boomba, who witnessed Ma stealing from the shelter, breaks into her home and swipes her food, her phone, and a purse containing her family’s invaluable travel documents.
—Tope Folarin, The Atlantic, 8 Nov. 2025
Director Dan Trachtenberg breaks it down for us.
—Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Nov. 2025
Second goal breaks Charlotte’s back The second half opened with a disastrous sequence for Charlotte.
—Colin Cerniglia, Charlotte Observer, 7 Nov. 2025
Anything else breaks the fast, stopping all benefits.
—Bryant Stamford, Louisville Courier Journal, 6 Nov. 2025
Gold Coast An hour south, the Gold Coast is all contrasts—a skyline of high-rises scraping the sand of some of the world’s best surf breaks.
—Alli Forde, Travel + Leisure, 6 Nov. 2025
However, the trouble starts when governments interfere and tell funds to invest too much at home, which breaks the delicate balance that fund managers have calculated between risk and reward, said Sébastien Betermier, executive director at the International Centre for Pension Management (ICPM).
—Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 4 Nov. 2025
Depending on the strength of nonconference opponents like Grand Canyon and San Francisco, Saint Louis could even be an at-large caliber team if all breaks right.
—The Athletic College Basketball Staff, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025
While this textile breaks the rule and its unique lattice pattern allows the textile to expand around the arm rather than clamp down, according to researchers.
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 31 Oct. 2025
Noun
Imagine me at lunch or dinner breaks on that movie, sitting between the two of them—Peyton and Bradley—knowing little to nothing about football.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 7 Nov. 2025
Homecooked meals with Lido’s parents and dips into the nearby fjord filled the gaps during recording breaks.
—Michael Saponara, Billboard, 7 Nov. 2025
Drivers plan their routes with animals in mind—more frequent breaks, less time alone, and quiet overnight stops.
—Maria Williams, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
Even the most devoted caregiver needs breaks.
—Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 5 Nov. 2025
Tijuca National Park is also home to Barros’s favorite stretch of sand, Prainha, a small golden sand beach known among surf enthusiasts for its top-notch reef and beach breaks.
—Dobrina Zhekova, Travel + Leisure, 5 Nov. 2025
Others have complained of breaks, tears, contusions, and concussions.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Nov. 2025
During grooming, the dog is continuously monitored, with breaks, treats, and positive reinforcement used to keep the experience stress-free.
—Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
Injuries, illness, bad breaks and bounces can jam up a season, but the best teams often navigate their way through the minefields.
—Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 30 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for breaks
Verb
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As artificial intelligence disrupts software and traditional tech cycles, many VCs are being forced to rethink their investment theses.—
Nia Bowers,
USA Today,
3 Nov. 2025
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His ability to reset the line of scrimmage with power, find the football and then get hands on the ball carrier consistently disrupts opposing game plans.—
Dane Brugler,
New York Times,
2 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The elevator stops at each floor and a new ghostly guest arrives offering some insight into Will’s plan.—
Amber McBride,
Literary Hub,
5 Nov. 2025
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Some gardeners choose to pinch those old flowers away every day to enhance the look of their plants, while others decide to wait until the entire flower scape stops blooming to cut the scape stem down to the soil line.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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This enables continuous charging and reduces the need for large onboard batteries.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Nov. 2025
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As a stocky playmaker who rarely sprints and often reduces the game to walking pace in an increasingly breakneck sport populated by iron men, Cherki’s timing of arrival into English football is where the dichotomy lies.—
Jordan Campbell,
New York Times,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Qualcomm’s chip can run Linux, along with Arduino software, and can even do computer vision, which deciphers what a camera sees and translates it into software.—
Kif Leswing,
CNBC,
7 Oct. 2025
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My body no longer deciphers its signals correctly.—
Alaa Alqaisi
August 13,
Literary Hub,
13 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Sally pauses her work as Marty holds court, sharing war stories from his decades as a private eye.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
5 Nov. 2025
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There have been reports that some Democrats are growing wary of the effects of the shutdown, namely, pauses in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits and shortages of air traffic controllers and security agents at airports.—
David Zimmermann,
The Washington Examiner,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Continue reading … CELEBRATION TURNS TO MOURNING – Woman dead, multiple children hurt when vehicle plows through birthday party.—
,
FOXNews.com,
20 Oct. 2025
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At the same time, Skattebo, the battering ram personified, pushes and plows through defenders, injecting energy into the Giants and their fans.—
Charlotte Carroll,
New York Times,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Several lawsuits have been filed in state courts arguing that the mid-decade redistricting violates the Missouri constitution.—
Connor Greene,
Time,
6 Nov. 2025
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If Butler violates any terms, the court could enforce his full 78-year sentence.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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One of Koch’s other retirement projects was a book series about a mayor who solves murders.—
James Folta,
Literary Hub,
6 Nov. 2025
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That solves a lot of problems, a lot of ills of society.—
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
4 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Breaks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/breaks. Accessed 10 Nov. 2025.
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