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
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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
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Recent Examples of broke in
And there were times, after the story broke in 2005, that some people on the island would see him and cross the street just to avoid acknowledging him.
—
Julie K. Brown, Miami Herald, 4 June 2026
News of the Baywatch reboot broke in 2023, and the project subsequently landed at Fox.
—Entertainment Weekly, 29 May 2026
The scandal first broke in 2022 when a former head of South Africa's state security agency walked into a police station, revealed the theft and accused Ramaphosa of money laundering and other offenses.
—ABC News, 26 May 2026
One person was arrested after Foxboro, Massachusetts school officials say two dozen high-school aged people threw toilet paper all over the front of the school, and another eight broke in.
—Mike Sullivan, CBS News, 22 May 2026
Residents were home when two men broke in, according to KTLA.
—Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2026
When the news broke in newspapers in Zimbabwe that the government was planning to cull 600 elephants, Krog made contact with the conservancy.
—Kamala Thiagarajan, NPR, 26 Apr. 2026
Off a bad change by the B’s, Timo Meier broke in alone but Korpisalo thwarted his first shot and just managed to get his pad down to smother Meier’s follow-up.
—Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 17 Mar. 2026
The center broke in with the Hawks by playing one game as a 19-year-old during the 1981-82 season.
—Kalen Lumpkins, Chicago Tribune, 7 Mar. 2026
Julie K. Brown, Miami Herald, 4 June 2026
News of the Baywatch reboot broke in 2023, and the project subsequently landed at Fox.
—Entertainment Weekly, 29 May 2026
The scandal first broke in 2022 when a former head of South Africa's state security agency walked into a police station, revealed the theft and accused Ramaphosa of money laundering and other offenses.
—ABC News, 26 May 2026
One person was arrested after Foxboro, Massachusetts school officials say two dozen high-school aged people threw toilet paper all over the front of the school, and another eight broke in.
—Mike Sullivan, CBS News, 22 May 2026
Residents were home when two men broke in, according to KTLA.
—Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2026
When the news broke in newspapers in Zimbabwe that the government was planning to cull 600 elephants, Krog made contact with the conservancy.
—Kamala Thiagarajan, NPR, 26 Apr. 2026
Off a bad change by the B’s, Timo Meier broke in alone but Korpisalo thwarted his first shot and just managed to get his pad down to smother Meier’s follow-up.
—Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 17 Mar. 2026
The center broke in with the Hawks by playing one game as a 19-year-old during the 1981-82 season.
—Kalen Lumpkins, Chicago Tribune, 7 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for broke in
Verb
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When the United States and its allies invaded Europe on June 6, 1944, or D-Day, Orlando was paying close attention.—
Orlando Sentinel Staff,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 June 2026
-
June 6 is also the 82nd anniversary of D-Day, when Allied troops invaded Normandy, France, turning the tide of the war in Europe.—
Phaedra Trethan,
USA Today,
6 June 2026
Verb
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Chatter echoes through the ballpark, only to be interrupted by the smack of an aluminum bat, cheers and a foghorn sound effect after a player hits a home run.—
James Burky,
Denver Post,
29 May 2026
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It was made that much worse when several cast members laughed at her insincerity and Maddi Reese interrupted it several times because there was a stray cat nearby that terrified her.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
29 May 2026
Verb
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Back in February, just two blocks from where Monday’s victim was attacked, an 88-year-old woman was shoved to the ground and robbed of her cane, cops said.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
5 June 2026
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Investigators said the 15-year-olds robbed Perry of a BB gun.—
Kristine Phillips,
IndyStar,
4 June 2026
Verb
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Agran said the city put out feelers about hosting a training base five years ago and made the first cut in 2024 when the Great Park was placed on a list of options distributed to tournament qualifiers.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 June 2026
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If Congress does nothing, research suggests, retirees will see a 28% cut in monthly benefits.—
Fernando Cervantes Jr,
USA Today,
8 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Broke in.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/broke%20in. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
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