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
News of Christopher’s pending arrival broke in June, when People published photos of Grammer and Walsh, who appeared heavily pregnant at the time.
—
Jami Ganz, Mercury News, 29 Oct. 2025
The brazen daytime heist at the museum last Sunday stunned France, when four men, dressed as workmen, broke in through an upper floor window using a ladder on a moving truck.
—Eleanor Beardsley, NPR, 26 Oct. 2025
News of Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman's divorce broke in September.
—Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Oct. 2025
News of the Melania doc first broke in January.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 9 Oct. 2025
The pregnancy news first broke in October 2024, during an episode of The Love Seat podcast hosted by Lauren and Cameron.
—Jane Lacroix, PEOPLE, 2 Oct. 2025
Stacy and her 14-year-old sister, Melissa, were alone in their rural home in Dale, Indiana, when Ward broke in and attacked the teen with a knife.
—Kristine Phillips, IndyStar, 29 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
Leoni’s brother, John, broke in to find their mother dead inside.
—Arizona Republic, AZCentral.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Jami Ganz, Mercury News, 29 Oct. 2025
The brazen daytime heist at the museum last Sunday stunned France, when four men, dressed as workmen, broke in through an upper floor window using a ladder on a moving truck.
—Eleanor Beardsley, NPR, 26 Oct. 2025
News of Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman's divorce broke in September.
—Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Oct. 2025
News of the Melania doc first broke in January.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 9 Oct. 2025
The pregnancy news first broke in October 2024, during an episode of The Love Seat podcast hosted by Lauren and Cameron.
—Jane Lacroix, PEOPLE, 2 Oct. 2025
Stacy and her 14-year-old sister, Melissa, were alone in their rural home in Dale, Indiana, when Ward broke in and attacked the teen with a knife.
—Kristine Phillips, IndyStar, 29 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
Leoni’s brother, John, broke in to find their mother dead inside.
—Arizona Republic, AZCentral.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for broke in
Verb
-
After Iraq invaded Kuwait in August 1990, Cheney coordinated with international allies and led planning for Operation Desert Storm.—
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Nov. 2025
-
In the final round of the game, Morgan’s new alliance invaded Annabelle’s group and took most of their resource points.—
Kaleb Demerew,
The Conversation,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
His solitude is interrupted by the arrival of his brother Jem (Sean Bean), who is looking for a connection with his son Brian (Samuel Bottomley), and seeking Ray’s help.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
31 Oct. 2025
-
The program serves just shy of 42 million Americans—although benefits are going to be interrupted in November due to a lack of appropriations stemming from the ongoing government shutdown.—
Aliss Higham,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Illinois children should not be robbed of their innocence.—
Adam Crafton,
New York Times,
3 Nov. 2025
-
At least four other French museums have been robbed in the last two months, according to media reports.—
N'dea Yancey-Bragg,
USA Today,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Kansas City Federal Reserve President Jeffrey Schmid on Friday said concern about future inflation led to his vote against this week’s quarter-point cut in the benchmark fed fund rate.—
Sean Conlon,Hugh Leask,
CNBC,
31 Oct. 2025
-
In the background, some analysts are now resigned to the notion that Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s remarks on Wednesday were gloomier than expected and that there may not be another interest rate cut in December.—
Jim Edwards,
Fortune,
31 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Broke in.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/broke%20in. Accessed 10 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share