1
as in classified
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 decomposed
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 analyzed
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 died
to stop functioning
the computer finally broke down and had to be replaced
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in melted 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 knocked down
to take apart
the crew was breaking down the party tent when we arrived
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in shattered
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 broke down
After the final whistle, Vozinha broke down in tears on the pitch.
—
Olivia Shalhoup,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2026
Machado laid off a slider that broke down and out of the zone to get to 2-0 against right-hander Joe Ross and then hit a sinker in the heart of the zone on a line at 108 mph to left-center field, where it was caught by a man in a Padres jersey some 408 feet from home plate.
—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
21 June 2026
O'Brien broke down that the larger fleet will allow the two to use their aircrafts more efficiently, highlighting that Allegiant's recent purchase of a Boeing 737 will allow Sun Country to utilize Allegiant's aircraft for its flights, creating a larger network.
—
Assiatou Hann,
CNBC,
20 June 2026
The 44-year-old former champion started from the pitlane following an engine change after bottoming out in qualifying and then broke down in the race.
—
ABC News,
14 June 2026
The two traveled to Chippewa County, Michigan, and hitchhiked to Kincheloe once the car broke down, officials said.
—
Nick Lentz,
CBS News,
14 June 2026
Anthony broke down in tears as the verdict was read and was immediately taken into custody.
—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
13 June 2026
Brunson, stoic throughout the entire championship run, broke down in tears as his father Rick, who’s a Knicks assistant coach, celebrated on the sidelines.
—
Tom Tapp,
Deadline,
13 June 2026
Marc Guehi’s move to Liverpool on last year’s summer deadline day broke down at the 11th hour as Crystal Palace failed to bring in a replacement — and Guehi later joined Manchester City in January.
—
Leon Imber,
New York Times,
13 June 2026
Olivia Shalhoup,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2026
Machado laid off a slider that broke down and out of the zone to get to 2-0 against right-hander Joe Ross and then hit a sinker in the heart of the zone on a line at 108 mph to left-center field, where it was caught by a man in a Padres jersey some 408 feet from home plate.
—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
21 June 2026
O'Brien broke down that the larger fleet will allow the two to use their aircrafts more efficiently, highlighting that Allegiant's recent purchase of a Boeing 737 will allow Sun Country to utilize Allegiant's aircraft for its flights, creating a larger network.
—
Assiatou Hann,
CNBC,
20 June 2026
The 44-year-old former champion started from the pitlane following an engine change after bottoming out in qualifying and then broke down in the race.
—
ABC News,
14 June 2026
The two traveled to Chippewa County, Michigan, and hitchhiked to Kincheloe once the car broke down, officials said.
—
Nick Lentz,
CBS News,
14 June 2026
Anthony broke down in tears as the verdict was read and was immediately taken into custody.
—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
13 June 2026
Brunson, stoic throughout the entire championship run, broke down in tears as his father Rick, who’s a Knicks assistant coach, celebrated on the sidelines.
—
Tom Tapp,
Deadline,
13 June 2026
Marc Guehi’s move to Liverpool on last year’s summer deadline day broke down at the 11th hour as Crystal Palace failed to bring in a replacement — and Guehi later joined Manchester City in January.
—
Leon Imber,
New York Times,
13 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for broke down
Verb
-
This case has now been classified as inactive.
-
The project has been classified as a top priority by Zuckerberg and is just one of the many apps the company is reportedly developing in response to emerging trends.
Verb
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Prosecutor Cheryl Galvin disagreed, saying that while the body had decomposed, the medical examiner was still able to conclude Chiodo died by homicide due to blunt force and sharp force injuries.
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Compost is decomposed organic matter, created when microorganisms break down plant materials, food scraps, leaves, manure, and other organic inputs.
Verb
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Overall, across roles analyzed in the first quarter of this year, 77% of new job postings were fully on-site, compared to 19% hybrid and 4% fully remote, the placement firm reports.
-
Princess Diana loved jewelry, wearing her favorite pieces over and over, even as every ring, bracelet, and earring was photographed, scrutinized and analyzed.
Verb
-
The extent of any aid package will have to match the emerging picture of how many have died, how many remain trapped under the rubble and how many Venezuelans will struggle yet further for food.
-
The family of Binh Pham, one of the crash victims who later died at University Hospital in Columbia, has hired Wendt Law Firm.
Verb
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The Liberty Bell had survived the war—so far—without being melted down into musket balls by the British.
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The financial system melted down in 2008 and the global COVID-19 pandemic erupted in 2020.
Verb
-
Both are spacious, packed with thoughtful organizational components, and have had their prices knocked down to under $30.
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Firefighters have declared the blaze knocked down but will stay on scene for flare-ups as demolition begins, while officials promise a health-conscious cleanup that minimizes impacts on surrounding residents.
Verb
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In March, prolonged high temperatures shattered dozens of records in Southern California.
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Williams arrived to find the business' windows shattered, after the roof of nearby restaurant Jay's Backyard BBQ collapsed in the blaze.
Verb
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Professional attire ranked second.
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According to a new report that tracks pedestrian deaths across the nation, the Miami metro area, which includes Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach, ranked as the 17th most dangerous metropolitan area for pedestrians.
Cite this Entry
“Broke down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/broke%20down. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.
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