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
Then applicants came swarming in before catalogs were ready, and adding to the mid-summer madness, Mid-Florida Tech’s presses broke down, delaying catalog printing another week.
—
Roger Simmons, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 Jan. 2026
Several broke down in tears as hours passed with no news from prison authorities, who activists say refuse to confirm even whether specific detainees are being held inside.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 10 Jan. 2026
Talks reportedly broke down due to Meyer's lack of coaching experience in the NIL era.
—Matt Audilet, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Nov. 2025
Combs got emotional and broke down crying when Kim Porter appeared on the screen.
—Rolling Stone, 3 Oct. 2025
Rory McIlroy, who has played for Team Europe at the Ryder Cup in every tournament from 2010 to 2025, previously broke down the significance of the match-up and how a potential prize fund could change the meaning of the tournament.
—Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 27 Sep. 2025
Galicia Lopez broke down the front door of the residence while the other two men remained outside, prosecutors said.
—Caelyn Pender, Mercury News, 12 Sep. 2025
Brent Lang, Variety‘s executive editor, also broke down the 2025 summer box office haul, reflecting on the underwhelming overall tally for the crucial frame.
—Andrew McGowan, Variety, 6 Sep. 2025
Netanyahu initially said Israel would conquer all of Gaza after indirect talks with Hamas on a ceasefire and hostage release deal broke down in July.
—Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 5 Sep. 2025
Roger Simmons, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 Jan. 2026
Several broke down in tears as hours passed with no news from prison authorities, who activists say refuse to confirm even whether specific detainees are being held inside.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 10 Jan. 2026
Talks reportedly broke down due to Meyer's lack of coaching experience in the NIL era.
—Matt Audilet, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Nov. 2025
Combs got emotional and broke down crying when Kim Porter appeared on the screen.
—Rolling Stone, 3 Oct. 2025
Rory McIlroy, who has played for Team Europe at the Ryder Cup in every tournament from 2010 to 2025, previously broke down the significance of the match-up and how a potential prize fund could change the meaning of the tournament.
—Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 27 Sep. 2025
Galicia Lopez broke down the front door of the residence while the other two men remained outside, prosecutors said.
—Caelyn Pender, Mercury News, 12 Sep. 2025
Brent Lang, Variety‘s executive editor, also broke down the 2025 summer box office haul, reflecting on the underwhelming overall tally for the crucial frame.
—Andrew McGowan, Variety, 6 Sep. 2025
Netanyahu initially said Israel would conquer all of Gaza after indirect talks with Hamas on a ceasefire and hostage release deal broke down in July.
—Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 5 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for broke down
Verb
-
In 2019, officers went to the home twice while their son Nick was living there — once for a call coded as a welfare check and once for a call classified as mental health–related.—
Tommy McArdle,
PEOPLE,
7 Jan. 2026
-
The Justice Department issued a warrant to seize the ship over its sanctions violations for transporting oil on behalf of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which is classified as a Foreign Terrorist Organization by the State Department.—
Ashley Carnahan , Jennifer Griffin , Lucas Y. Tomlinson,
FOXNews.com,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The first was that the obstacles were decomposed into cuboids.—
Jacek Krywko,
ArsTechnica,
25 Sep. 2025
-
Rivas’ cause and manner of death are still being determined by the medical examiner; the exam is taking longer than usual as the remains were severely decomposed.—
Kevin Dolak,
HollywoodReporter,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The platform analyzed search terms during peak resolution planning season—December 1-30, 2025—by examining 70 total keywords.—
Abigail Wilt,
Southern Living,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Cable networks again analyzed an ICE officer’s shooting of a 37-year-old Minneapolis woman, this time with the new angle from footage that was taken by the federal agent.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
One of those rescued, a female landfill worker, died while being brought to a hospital, regional police director Brig.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Josh's father Jay Cardiello announced his son's death in a social media post and shared that his son died while playing basketball.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Haddy also offers environmental benefits in terms of waste reduction and resource efficiency because their creations can be melted down and used to produce new objects.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Along with encouraging parishioners to pledge money, Cioffi asked them to donate their jewelry, to be melted down and fashioned into a crown to be affixed to a painting of the Virgin on the altarpiece.—
Susan Mulcahy,
New Yorker,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Other perennial favorites like the New Balance 550 Basketball Sneakers are sure to sell out quickly, with prices knocked down to just $47 from the original $110.—
Sophie Dodd,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Monk knocked down a 3-pointer, dished to Sabonis for a dunk and threw down a dunk of his own as the Kings came back to cut the deficit to three at the end of the first quarter.—
Jason Anderson,
Sacbee.com,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
By the afternoon, the store had reopened, but the front door's glass remained shattered, with a large banner placed in front of the entrance, the local station reported.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
7 Jan. 2026
-
The Kohbergers’ pride in Bryan was shattered by the revelation that he was suspected of and later admitted to the slaughter.—
Theresa Braine,
Mercury News,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Massachusetts, New York, Alabama and Mississippi also ranked near the bottom.—
Kelly McGreal,
FOXNews.com,
11 Jan. 2026
-
The Knights ranked second in the Big 12 last season in kickoffs, thanks to Noe Ruelas.—
Matt Murschel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
11 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Broke down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/broke%20down. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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