broken-down 1 of 2

broken down

2 of 2

verb

past participle of break down
1
2
3
4
as in crashed
to stop functioning the computer finally broke down and had to be replaced

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

5
as in cracked
to yield to mental or emotional stress began to break down when he realized that he was on the verge of bankruptcy

Synonyms & Similar Words

6
7

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-down
Adjective
Here are the top ten states with an overall stress rank in parenthesis, each broken-down by rank order for each of the five dimensions: work stress, financial stress, family stress, health & safety stress and work-life balance rankings. Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 27 Apr. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for broken-down
Adjective
  • On the show Hill would buy dilapidated homes, fix them up and sell them for a profit.
    Jennifer Sangalang, USA Today, 13 May 2025
  • The manager of a dilapidated building called the Workers’ Cultural Palace gives a speech about his plans for the space.
    David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 9 May 2025
Verb
  • Data held in qubits is affected by data held in other qubits, even when physically separated.
    Chuck Brooks, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024
  • Once the ladies are separated, Jackie pulls Heavenly aside to scold her for her behavior.
    Shelby Stewart, Essence, 23 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Return overgrown grass to the proper height by raising the mower deck to cut the grass high.
    Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 May 2025
  • Any of these topics would make for excellent discussion after the Cavs’ 126-104 Game 3 win over the Pacers, which cut their deficit in this Eastern Conference semifinal series to 2-1 with Game 4 Sunday.
    Joe Vardon, New York Times, 10 May 2025
Adjective
  • Thompson’s brother Maurice, who allegedly drove the chasing Chevrolet Equinox, was granted bail in October — indicating a potentially weak case.
    Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 9 May 2025
  • The report also included a number of ‘weak’ odor sources observed during the study, including odors emanating from the Curaleaf cannabis facility on Britt Road and Goldflower Cannabis facility on Niles Road.
    James Wilkins, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 May 2025
Verb
  • Our recommendations are sorted by the best plans for older dogs, for puppies, for dogs with pre-existing conditions, for wellness plans and for households with multiple dogs.
    Liz Knueven, CNBC, 30 Dec. 2024
  • But Moyes had other ideas — as did Ed Woodward in his first summer as United’s chief executive — and sorted it out in a frank discussion with Rooney.
    Daniel Taylor, The Athletic, 29 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • The second phase was meant to pave the way to an end to the war, although the truce disintegrated when Israeli forces resumed airstrikes on Gaza.
    Chantal Da Silva, NBC news, 27 Mar. 2025
  • The premier Copley Cup — which for decades drew the nation’s elite men’s varsity eights for an early-season east/west showdown – has disintegrated into an alumni race.
    Bill Center, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Sometimes the internal organs are inspected in situ, but more typically they are removed, washed down, and dissected on a water table.
    Samuel Ashworth, The Atlantic, 20 Mar. 2025
  • Each release became an event; her every move was dissected by social media.
    Kristen S. Hé, Vulture, 19 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Fewer than 100 members of the military died from COVID-19, according to the Department of Defense.
    Avery Lotz, Axios, 28 Jan. 2025
  • An American Airlines worker died after they were struck by a ramp vehicle on the tarmac at an airport on Monday morning.
    Barbara A. Perry, Newsweek, 28 Jan. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Broken-down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/broken-down. Accessed 22 May. 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!