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
Residents were home when two men broke in, according to KTLA.
—
Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2026
The Lightning got the man advantage after Ivan Demidov broke in on Vasilevskiy, failed to score and was called for goalie interference.
—ABC News, 1 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
Selected by Chicago in the third round of the 1980 draft, the center broke in with the Blackhawks by playing one game as a 19-year-old during the 1981-82 season.
—Dylan Olsen, CBS News, 30 Mar. 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
News broke in June 2025 that Allman was taken to a hospital in San Bernardino County for demonstrating erratic behavior after authorities received a disturbance call.
—Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 1 Mar. 2026
Given the behind the scenes drama that has enveloped CBS News since Ellison took over Paramount Skydance, the mood was grim at CNN after the news broke in real time Thursday.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 27 Feb. 2026
Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2026
The Lightning got the man advantage after Ivan Demidov broke in on Vasilevskiy, failed to score and was called for goalie interference.
—ABC News, 1 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
Selected by Chicago in the third round of the 1980 draft, the center broke in with the Blackhawks by playing one game as a 19-year-old during the 1981-82 season.
—Dylan Olsen, CBS News, 30 Mar. 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
News broke in June 2025 that Allman was taken to a hospital in San Bernardino County for demonstrating erratic behavior after authorities received a disturbance call.
—Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 1 Mar. 2026
Given the behind the scenes drama that has enveloped CBS News since Ellison took over Paramount Skydance, the mood was grim at CNN after the news broke in real time Thursday.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 27 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for broke in
Verb
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Perhaps not coincidentally, Russia invaded the former Soviet republic of Georgia later that year.—
Anne Applebaum,
The Atlantic,
11 May 2026
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Some have questioned whether the Biennale really is a nonpartisan exhibition, pointing to the show’s history of making political statements, including in 2022, when Russia invaded Ukraine.—
Alex Greenberger,
ARTnews.com,
9 May 2026
Verb
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The candidates often exceeded the time limits and interrupted one another.—
James Ward,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
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As Miller relayed this story, the sound of a vehicle coming down the dirt road interrupted him.—
Rachel Monroe,
New Yorker,
14 May 2026
Verb
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Davenport said this is the second time someone has been robbed outside her home.—
Abby Dodge,
CBS News,
9 May 2026
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Despite the March 26 fire at the City Park Bandshell, which destroyed the historic structure and robbed this marquee series of its main stage, the 40-year-old jazz nonprofit has vowed to go on with a mobile stage.—
John Wenzel,
Denver Post,
8 May 2026
Verb
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If Congress does nothing, research suggests, retirees will see a 28% cut in monthly benefits.—
Fernando Cervantes Jr,
USA Today,
12 May 2026
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And food stamp cuts in Arizona offer a warning to the nation.—
Kayla Hayempour,
NBC news,
11 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Broke in.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/broke%20in. Accessed 17 May. 2026.
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