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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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10
as in dies
to stop functioning
after working for 30 years, the pump simply broke one day
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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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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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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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
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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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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
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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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for breaks
Verb
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Being pushed out of a stable home disrupts childhood learning and mental health.—
Jane Hursh,
Orlando Sentinel,
22 Mar. 2025 -
We've all been told not to look at a screen before bedtime because the light disrupts sleep, right?—
Sanaz Meshkinpour,
NPR,
21 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The woman in question was identified as Renee Brown, a 36-year-old single mom who works two jobs, loves her kid, and never stops, à la Reba McEntire.—
Marc Griffin,
VIBE.com,
8 Jan. 2025
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The rule does not get rid of the debt itself, but stops it from having an impact on a consumer’s credit worthiness.—
Joseph Choi,
The Hill,
7 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Mulch also reduces problems with heaving soils.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
4 Jan. 2025
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Ionic technology reduces frizz while dual bristles detangle and glide through hair for a silky smooth blowout every time.—
Vacation,
refinery29.com,
4 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Major publishing companies and authors are arguing that a federal judge should deny Florida’s request to dismiss a lawsuit over the removal of school library books, saying a controversial state law violates First Amendment rights.—
Jim Saunders,
Orlando Sentinel,
24 Dec. 2024
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Incentives could also encompass partial sanctions relief, with snap-back clauses to reimpose them if Russia violates the terms of the deal.—
Samuel Charap,
Foreign Affairs,
24 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Detroit’s players and coaches emphasized the chance for a reset going into the three-day holiday break this week, and maybe that solves a few issues.—
Max Bultman,
The Athletic,
24 Dec. 2024
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But in reality these moments are when the brain consolidates memories, solves complex problems, and generates creative insights.—
Richard E. Cytowic,
TIME,
23 Dec. 2024
Verb
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When an individual dies, the body starts naturally decomposing almost immediately.—
Vanessa Etienne,
People.com,
28 Feb. 2025
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Much like a proper Neapolitan pizza lives or dies by its crust, great breakfast tacos depend on the quality of the tortilla.—
Edmund Tijerina,
Bon Appétit,
27 Feb. 2025
Verb
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That minimal percentage is caused by extremely dry air that circulates throughout the cabin at 30,000 feet.—
Sara Button,
AFAR Media,
19 Dec. 2024
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There’s no air conditioning, but a fan circulates air, and tents stay cool overnight.—
Nicole Trilivas,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Dec. 2024
Verb
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The process usually begins with an investigation, followed by the introduction of articles of impeachment to the House Judiciary Committee.—
Kevin Sabet,
Newsweek,
24 Mar. 2025
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Most of this year’s top quarterback prospects will throw during pro day workouts this week, unofficially marking the last phase of the evaluation process before the NFL Draft begins on April 24.—
Zac Jackson,
The Athletic,
24 Mar. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Breaks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/breaks. Accessed 12 Jul. 2025.
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