broke in

past tense of break in
1
as in invaded
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 interrupted
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 broke in Stacy and her 14-year-old sister, Melissa, were home alone in their rural home in Dale, Indiana, when Ward broke in and attacked the teen with a knife. Kristine Phillips, IndyStar, 24 Sep. 2025 The storied legacy began with patriarch Ray Boone, who broke in as an infielder with Cleveland in 1948; followed by his son Bob (1972-1990); and grandsons Bret (1992-2005) and Aaron (1997-2009). Candace Oehler, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025 Ned and Ariel later clarified that they have been mostly separated since news of the affair broke in 2022. Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 17 Sep. 2025 Leoni’s brother, John, broke in to find their mother dead inside. Arizona Republic, AZCentral.com, 17 Sep. 2025 The upper floors of the building sat for decades vacant except for squatters who periodically broke in. Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 19 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for broke in
Verb
  • Continue reading … OPINION MIKE POMPEO – Russian aircraft invaded two NATO members in two weeks.
    , FOXNews.com, 24 Sep. 2025
  • Poland borders Ukraine, which was invaded by Russia in 2022.
    Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 23 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Anyone who’s had a peaceful fall day interrupted by the loud sound of a leaf blower is likely to have a little more affection for leaf rakes.
    Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Sep. 2025
  • There, seven of the past 11 days of racing at the Vuelta were cut short or interrupted because Spain's government estimated more than 100,000 people were on the streets in Madrid during the final stage this month.
    Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 27 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Hamas has robbed the Palestinian people, deprived them of their lives and freedom, and cannot dictate their future.
    Ben Kelly, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Sep. 2025
  • Ranzy’s attorney, assistant public defender Alex Vian, asked Judge Bryce Ehrman that he be released on $10,000 conditional bail, arguing that he was robbed at gunpoint and defended himself.
    Nick Ferraro, Twin Cities, 16 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The Fed typically only delivers large rate cuts in times of economic trouble.
    Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2025
  • But Travis, 35, cut in, saying that the rankings had changed.
    Rachel McRady, PEOPLE, 22 Sep. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Broke in.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/broke%20in. Accessed 30 Sep. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!