broken in

Definition of broken innext
past participle 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

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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

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 broken in West was in a car accident after leaving a recording studio in 2002, which left his jaw broken in three places. Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 26 Jan. 2026 The price of gold now sits over $5,000 per ounce, the latest in a string of price records broken in recent years. Matt Richardson, CBS News, 26 Jan. 2026 Their leather shaft molds to your ankle once they’re broken in, too. Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 8 Nov. 2025 The downtrend that extended from the March highs was just broken in late September — something has changed. Jay Woods, CNBC, 31 Oct. 2025 One of the miracles of the fire is that the cedars did survive, mostly intact except for a few limbs that were broken in the fierce winds. Tribune News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Oct. 2025 Chris talks about being broken in every possible way a person can be. Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2025 Louisville’s equipment staff arrives with 10-12 balls broken in and ready for game use, as well as a host of other balls used in pregame that aren’t for game use. David Ubben, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025 Davidson said Cline had surgery to repair her jaw which was broken in three places and was discharged from the hospital a couple of days ago and is recovering at her home in Kentucky. Craig Shoup, Nashville Tennessean, 26 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for broken in
Verb
  • Nearly four years later, Russian forces continue to grind along the front lines achieving incremental territorial gains at an extremely high cost, while Ukraine has managed to retake vast areas that Moscow initially invaded.
    Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 26 Jan. 2026
  • Pastor says protesters invaded church A Minnesota church targeted by an anti-ICE protest Sunday decried it as unlawful, while one of the protest leaders called for the resignation of a church leader who works at a local ICE office.
    Alanna Durkin Richer, Chicago Tribune, 21 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • The group interrupted the church service while Lemon commentated as the anti-ICE protest unfolded.
    David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 30 Jan. 2026
  • Submarine cables, meanwhile, can be damaged accidentally by marine life or deliberately targeted in geopolitical flashpoints, such as attacks in the Red Sea that interrupted internet access in parts of Asia and the Middle East last year, said Rosenworcel.
    Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • The buildup has robbed the Pentagon of the element of surprise, but that may not make a huge difference.
    Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 31 Jan. 2026
  • Mad at the immigration system that robbed her family of time.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 31 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Officials say the district is planning for more budget cuts in the next school year, which plays a role in negotiations.
    Kara St. Cyr, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026
  • Market pricing now foresees fewer than two full quarter-point rate cuts in the cards for 2026, down from three in November.
    Michael Santoli, CNBC, 26 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Broken in.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/broken%20in. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.

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