broke 1 of 2

broke

2 of 2

verb

past tense of break
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as in demoted
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 deciphered
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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as in plowed
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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as in died
to stop functioning after working for 30 years, the pump simply broke one day

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as in ruined
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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as in surfaced
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 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 broke
Adjective
The match-up broke ratings records, with nearly 128 million viewers tuning in, according to Nielsen. Judy Kurtz, The Hill, 26 Mar. 2025 Fake Wedding follows two broke singles who throw a fake wedding to cash in on the registry and the very real problems the make-believe couple encounters. Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 17 Mar. 2025
Verb
After the news of Zuckerberg’s bunker broke, other one-percenters followed suit. Christy Piña, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Dec. 2024 But then the defense broke again on the Blue run. The Athletic College Football Staff, The Athletic, 21 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for broke
Recent Examples of Synonyms for broke
Adjective
  • Eagerly drinking the Kool-Aid is Simone DeWitt (Alcock), a formerly impoverished but deeply ambitious upstart from Buffalo who gets a taste of the lifestyle of the rich and famous as Michaela's uppity assistant.
    Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 23 May 2025
  • That could mean removing spending from public school meal programs for impoverished children, removing access to health care to people with developmental disabilities, or cutting Social Security payments to even the deficit.
    Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 May 2025
Verb
  • After a season disrupted by injuries and fewer starts, the writing was on the wall.
    Julia Ranney, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Behind the scenes there was no doubt other dreams were dashed and processes disrupted.
    Evan Clark, Footwear News, 10 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • However, an avalanche, which claimed the lives of multiple sherpas in 2014, ended the shoot early.
    Samantha Stutsman, People.com, 22 Mar. 2025
  • While the Heat’s losing skid continued, another streak ended.
    Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 22 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Hackett was also demoted from his play-calling duties after Saleh was fired.
    Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 10 Apr. 2025
  • When Schmidt returns to the majors next week, Will Warren will probably be demoted.
    Brendan Kuty, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Months later, the Department of Justice concluded that five Texas juvenile detention centers violated children's constitutional and civil rights.
    Thao Nguyen, USA TODAY, 24 Dec. 2024
  • The plaintiffs seek a declaratory judgment that the commission, by approving the plans, has violated their fundamental rights.
    Amy Green, Orlando Sentinel, 24 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • People only become dependent if every problem is solved for them.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025
  • This under-desk walking pad solved my problem.
    Cecily McAndrews, Health, 5 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Nunn died in 2016 from leukemia at age 63.
    EW.com, EW.com, 28 Jan. 2025
  • An American Airlines employee has died following an accident on the tarmac in North Carolina.
    Angel Saunders, People.com, 28 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • But while there are still a lot of questions to be answered, the prospect of a Pixel-like camera design seems to have retreated.
    David Phelan, Forbes, 21 Dec. 2024
  • It’s hardly been altered in the 17,000 years or so since those glaciers retreated.
    Ashley Balzer Vigil, Ars Technica, 21 Dec. 2024

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Cite this Entry

“Broke.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/broke. Accessed 29 May. 2025.

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