1
as in ranks
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 decomposes
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 analyzes
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 dies
to stop functioning
the computer finally broke down and had to be replaced
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in melts 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 takes down
to take apart
the crew was breaking down the party tent when we arrived
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in shatters
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 breaks down
Or what heating options are available if the chip breaks down?
—
Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 12 Jan. 2026
During ketosis, the body breaks down fat into ketones and uses them for fuel.
—Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, Health, 12 Jan. 2026
Its gentle formula expertly breaks down makeup without leaving my skin feeling dry and tight.
—Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 8 Nov. 2025
Sign up for our free The Daily Money newsletter, which breaks down complex consumer and financial news.
—Betty Lin-Fisher, USA Today, 2 Nov. 2025
Plus, Rick Klein breaks down the races from New York City to Virginia to California.
—ABC News, 2 Nov. 2025
Their new trend report breaks down destinations gaining the most buzz – and a few American getaways cracked the list of international gems.
—Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 26 Oct. 2025
The video above breaks down all the factors that have led to the Bears run game getting back on track.
—Robert Mays, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025
Shortly after, Kate breaks down and apologizes to Hal, begging him to take her back.
—Trish Deitch, Variety, 17 Oct. 2025
Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 12 Jan. 2026
During ketosis, the body breaks down fat into ketones and uses them for fuel.
—Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, Health, 12 Jan. 2026
Its gentle formula expertly breaks down makeup without leaving my skin feeling dry and tight.
—Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 8 Nov. 2025
Sign up for our free The Daily Money newsletter, which breaks down complex consumer and financial news.
—Betty Lin-Fisher, USA Today, 2 Nov. 2025
Plus, Rick Klein breaks down the races from New York City to Virginia to California.
—ABC News, 2 Nov. 2025
Their new trend report breaks down destinations gaining the most buzz – and a few American getaways cracked the list of international gems.
—Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 26 Oct. 2025
The video above breaks down all the factors that have led to the Bears run game getting back on track.
—Robert Mays, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025
Shortly after, Kate breaks down and apologizes to Hal, begging him to take her back.
—Trish Deitch, Variety, 17 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for breaks down
Verb
-
This month, Lemme added Walmart to its retail roster, which includes Ulta, Amazon, TikTok Shop and Target, where the brand grew 100 percent in 2025 and ranks as the number-one beauty ingestible brand, said cofounder Simon Huck.—
Noor Lobad,
Footwear News,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Between 1957 to 1989, Fennell moved through the department ranks as patrolman, detective, sergeant, lieutenant, and captain.—
Edmund H. Mahony,
Hartford Courant,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The research team developed a route-planning system for Astrobee, the ISS’s robotic assistant, that leverages sequential convex programming—a method that decomposes complex trajectory planning into smaller, tractable steps while guaranteeing safety and feasibility.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Dec. 2025
-
Shilajit is a mineral-rich resin that forms over centuries as plant material slowly decomposes under heat and pressure within the rocks of the Himalayan Mountains.—
Lindsay Curtis,
Verywell Health,
27 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Gary LeBlanc is president and chief operating officer of EverMe, an app that analyzes and reports on scientific studies about supplements, antiaging techniques and other promises of longevity.—
Sandee LaMotte,
CNN Money,
31 Jan. 2026
-
This article was generated by the Bay Area Home Report Bot, software that analyzes home sales or other data and creates an article based on a template created by humans.—
Bay Area Home Report,
Mercury News,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
When the media are corrupted and play with the truth regarding political and ideological agendas, democracy dies.—
Marta Balaga,
Variety,
31 Jan. 2026
-
For example, perennials with remaining greenery should have no problem regrowing in spring, as their foliage dies back for winter anyway.—
Alexandra Jones,
The Spruce,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Every wildfire that takes down a transmission line, every flood that swallows a road, every heatwave that makes a solar farm falter all slow the very systems meant to replace fossil fuels.—
Natalie Unterstell,
Time,
6 Nov. 2025
-
After the gang successfully takes down Godolkin by embracing supe differences and leaning on their collective power, Polarity ultimately makes the choice to stay behind, charging himself with taking care of the rest of the school’s young supes.—
Abbey White,
HollywoodReporter,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
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One agent opens the back-seat door as the car begins to move; another shatters her passenger-side window.—
Ruby Cramer,
New Yorker,
23 Jan. 2026
-
The Bradford pear shatters easily at the trunk due to the branch angles, Zampini says.—
Lee Wallender,
The Spruce,
16 Jan. 2026
Verb
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While there are some differences in how HBO and Nielsen collect their viewing data, the most likely explanation lies in how Nielsen classifies the show for its streaming rankings and Heated Rivalry’s release schedule.—
Rick Porter,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Jan. 2026
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The department classifies Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger under its highest Level 4 advisory, warning Americans about issues of terrorism, crime, kidnapping, and more.—
Michael Cappetta,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The debris – space rocks known as meteoroids – collides with Earth's atmosphere at high speed and disintegrates, creating fiery and colorful streaks in the sky, according to NASA.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
2 Jan. 2026
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The debris — space rocks known as meteoroids — collides with Earth's atmosphere at high speed and disintegrates, creating fiery and colorful streaks in the sky, according to NASA.—
Doris Alvarez Cea,
Florida Times-Union,
2 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Breaks down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/breaks%20down. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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