1
as in invades
to enter a house or building by force usually with illegal intent
the burglars broke in by smashing a window
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in interrupts
to cause a disruption in a conversation or discussion
he rudely broke in to drop the names of several celebrities that he had met
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of breaks in
To minimize risks during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) advises incorporating frequent rest breaks in shaded or air-conditioned areas.
—
Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 16 June 2026
Authorities are also considering additional measures including overnight curfews and breaks in infinite scrolling for those under 18.
—ABC News, 15 June 2026
Gaming sites will be impacted and the government is also looking at overnight curfews and breaks in infinite scrolling for 16- to 18-year-olds.
—The Week Uk, TheWeek, 15 June 2026
Even small breaks in the skin can be enough for the screwworm to lay eggs, according to the CDC.
—Gina Kalsi, PEOPLE, 9 June 2026
To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air-conditioned environments.
—Kansas City Star Weather Bot, Kansas City Star, 8 June 2026
Ahead of a key early matchup against King Philip, Hebert danced at third base during breaks in play.
—Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 25 May 2026
The speedster, who has suffered breaks in both of his hands in the past, doesn’t believe his middle finger is fractured.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 11 May 2026
Orlando would scurry to get back in the game and thanks to some lucky breaks in the second half, the Storm were able to make things interesting.
—Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Apr. 2026
Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 16 June 2026
Authorities are also considering additional measures including overnight curfews and breaks in infinite scrolling for those under 18.
—ABC News, 15 June 2026
Gaming sites will be impacted and the government is also looking at overnight curfews and breaks in infinite scrolling for 16- to 18-year-olds.
—The Week Uk, TheWeek, 15 June 2026
Even small breaks in the skin can be enough for the screwworm to lay eggs, according to the CDC.
—Gina Kalsi, PEOPLE, 9 June 2026
To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air-conditioned environments.
—Kansas City Star Weather Bot, Kansas City Star, 8 June 2026
Ahead of a key early matchup against King Philip, Hebert danced at third base during breaks in play.
—Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 25 May 2026
The speedster, who has suffered breaks in both of his hands in the past, doesn’t believe his middle finger is fractured.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 11 May 2026
Orlando would scurry to get back in the game and thanks to some lucky breaks in the second half, the Storm were able to make things interesting.
—Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for breaks in
Verb
-
The monstrous entity that invades their little circle tests that comforting intimacy.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
18 June 2026
-
As the crew invades his space and a volatile director (Pyper-Ferguson) pushes him to his limits the line between Levi and his character dissolves.—
William Earl,
Variety,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
Zooming out interrupts the tunnel.—
Angela Haupt,
Time,
18 June 2026
-
LaBarge frequently interrupts the telling to braid her narrative so tautly with those of others that their language blurs together, quotation marks vanishing, lines of demarcation eroding.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 June 2026
Verb
-
Long known as the heroic outlaw who robs from the rich to give to the poor, Sarnoski’s revisionist take wasn’t purposefully trying to knock Robin Hood down a peg or cater to either political party’s preferred interpretation of the legendary figure.—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
22 June 2026
-
Brandsema explained that humans are born with one pool of motor neurons for life, and SMA slowly robs individuals of their motor neurons over time, leaving them with difficulty walking or running, holding up their heads, or even swallowing food and liquid safely.—
Ciara McCarthy
June 15,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
15 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Breaks in.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/breaks%20in. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
