Synonyms of break
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as in to disrupt 
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as in to stop
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as in to reduce
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as in to decipher
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as in to pause
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as in to plow
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as in to violate
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as in to solve
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as in to damage
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as in to die
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as in to retreat
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as in to wear
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as in to circulate
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as in to ruin
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as in to begin
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as in to veer
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as in to depress
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as in to exceed
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as in to surface
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as in disrupted
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as in ended
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as in demoted
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as in deciphered
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as in paused
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as in plowed
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as in violated
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as in solved
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as in damaged
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as in died
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as in retreated
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as in wore
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as in circulated
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as in ruined
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as in began
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as in veered
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as in reduced
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as in exceeded
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as in surfaced
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as in fractured
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as in stopped
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as in degraded
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as in cracked
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as in interrupted
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as in raked
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as in breached
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as in resolved
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as in hurt
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as in stalled
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as in bolted
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as in worn
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as in spread
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as in bankrupted
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as in originated
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as in cut
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as in sunk
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as in invaded
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as in emerged
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as in pause
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as in vacation
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as in gap
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as in opportunity
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as in accident
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as in escape
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as in impoverished
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as in shattered
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as in jagged
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as in uneven
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Example Sentences
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Phrases Containing
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Entries Near
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Related Articles
1
as in to disrupt
to cause to separate into pieces usually suddenly or forcibly
hated telling her that I had broken her favorite glass vase
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to stop
to bring (as an action or operation) to an immediate end
the final vote broke the deadlock
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to reduce
to bring to a lower grade or rank
the captain was broken to lieutenant commander for disobeying a direct order from his group commander
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to decipher
to change (as a secret message) from code into ordinary language
Alan Turing and the Bletchley Park mathematicians broke the Enigma code being used by the Nazis
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in to pause
to come to a temporary halt in one's activity
she broke from her ruminations to find that it was already dinnertime
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
7
as in to violate
to fail to keep
had to confess that he had broken his promise not to share their conversation with anyone
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
8
as in to solve
to find an answer for through reasoning
Professor Bates broke the problem when she realized that it was possible to synthesize the necessary compounds
Synonyms & Similar Words
9
as in to damage
to reduce the soundness, effectiveness, or perfection of
I broke a tooth on the hard candy
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
10
as in to die
to stop functioning
after working for 30 years, the pump simply broke one day
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
11
as in to retreat
to hasten away from something dangerous or frightening
the herd of gazelles broke when they saw the lions racing toward them from the ridge above
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
12
as in to wear
to use up all the physical energy of
the trek up the mountain just about broke me
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
13
as in to circulate
to become known
as soon as the scandal broke, the CEO fled the country
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
14
15
as in to begin
to come into existence
the crisis had passed, and a new day was breaking
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
16
as in to veer
to depart abruptly from a straight line or course
the running back broke to his left before running out of bounds
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
17
as in to depress
to diminish the price or value of
distressing economic news that will break many energy stocks
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
18
as in to exceed
to go beyond the limit of
a menu with prices that is likely to break the budgets of all but the wealthiest of diners
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in pause
a momentary halt in an activity
there was a brief break after the first movement as the doors to the concert hall were opened and the latecomers were allowed in
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in vacation
a period during which the usual routine of school or work is suspended
most of the students at the boarding school are going home for Christmas break
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in gap
an open space in a barrier (as a wall or hedge)
the rancher repaired the break in the fence where the horse had gotten through
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
5
as in accident
an unexpected benefit or advantage resulting from the uncertain course of events
a guy who just seems to get all the breaks in life
Synonyms & Similar Words
6
as in escape
the act or an instance of getting free from danger or confinement
a desperate break from that hellhole
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in impoverished
lacking money or material possessions
too broke to afford even a used car
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in shattered
forcibly separated into many pieces
a broken vase that could not be repaired
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in jagged
having an uneven edge or outline
the broken rim of the antique vase greatly reduces its value
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in uneven
not having a level or smooth surface
that portion of the hiking trail consists of a long, broken mountain ridge
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in disrupted
to cause to separate into pieces usually suddenly or forcibly
hated telling her that I had broken her favorite glass vase
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in ended
to bring (as an action or operation) to an immediate end
the final vote broke the deadlock
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in demoted
to bring to a lower grade or rank
the captain was broken to lieutenant commander for disobeying a direct order from his group commander
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in deciphered
to change (as a secret message) from code into ordinary language
Alan Turing and the Bletchley Park mathematicians broke the Enigma code being used by the Nazis
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in paused
to come to a temporary halt in one's activity
she broke from her ruminations to find that it was already dinnertime
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in plowed
to cut into and turn over the sod of (a piece of land) using a bladed implement
farmers once broke fields with horse-drawn plows
Synonyms & Similar Words
7
as in violated
to fail to keep
had to confess that he had broken his promise not to share their conversation with anyone
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
8
as in solved
to find an answer for through reasoning
Professor Bates broke the problem when she realized that it was possible to synthesize the necessary compounds
Synonyms & Similar Words
9
as in damaged
to reduce the soundness, effectiveness, or perfection of
I broke a tooth on the hard candy
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
10
as in died
to stop functioning
after working for 30 years, the pump simply broke one day
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
11
as in retreated
to hasten away from something dangerous or frightening
the herd of gazelles broke when they saw the lions racing toward them from the ridge above
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
12
as in wore
to use up all the physical energy of
the trek up the mountain just about broke me
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
13
as in circulated
to become known
as soon as the scandal broke, the CEO fled the country
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
14
as in ruined
to cause to lose one's fortune and become unable to pay one's debts
another bad investment could break him
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
15
as in began
to come into existence
the crisis had passed, and a new day was breaking
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
16
as in veered
to depart abruptly from a straight line or course
the running back broke to his left before running out of bounds
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
17
as in reduced
to diminish the price or value of
distressing economic news that will break many energy stocks
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
18
as in exceeded
to go beyond the limit of
a menu with prices that is likely to break the budgets of all but the wealthiest of diners
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in fractured
to cause to separate into pieces usually suddenly or forcibly
hated telling her that I had broken her favorite glass vase
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in stopped
to bring (as an action or operation) to an immediate end
the final vote broke the deadlock
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in degraded
to bring to a lower grade or rank
the captain was broken to lieutenant commander for disobeying a direct order from his group commander
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in cracked
to change (as a secret message) from code into ordinary language
Alan Turing and the Bletchley Park mathematicians broke the Enigma code being used by the Nazis
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in interrupted
to come to a temporary halt in one's activity
she broke from her ruminations to find that it was already dinnertime
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in raked
to cut into and turn over the sod of (a piece of land) using a bladed implement
farmers once broke fields with horse-drawn plows
Synonyms & Similar Words
7
as in breached
to fail to keep
had to confess that he had broken his promise not to share their conversation with anyone
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
8
as in resolved
to find an answer for through reasoning
Professor Bates broke the problem when she realized that it was possible to synthesize the necessary compounds
Synonyms & Similar Words
9
as in hurt
to reduce the soundness, effectiveness, or perfection of
I broke a tooth on the hard candy
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
10
as in stalled
to stop functioning
after working for 30 years, the pump simply broke one day
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
11
as in bolted
to hasten away from something dangerous or frightening
the herd of gazelles broke when they saw the lions racing toward them from the ridge above
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
12
as in worn
to use up all the physical energy of
the trek up the mountain just about broke me
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
13
as in spread
to become known
as soon as the scandal broke, the CEO fled the country
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
14
as in bankrupted
to cause to lose one's fortune and become unable to pay one's debts
another bad investment could break him
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
15
as in originated
to come into existence
the crisis had passed, and a new day was breaking
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
16
as in cut
to depart abruptly from a straight line or course
the running back broke to his left before running out of bounds
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
17
as in sunk
to diminish the price or value of
distressing economic news that will break many energy stocks
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
18
as in invaded
to go beyond the limit of
a menu with prices that is likely to break the budgets of all but the wealthiest of diners
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of break
CNN Money, 1 Sep. 2025
Sign up fors free True Crime newsletter PEOPLE' for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.
—Christine Pelisek, People.com, 1 Sep. 2025
Bethy Squires, Vulture, 31 Aug. 2025
His band in those days was led by Max Weinberg, who’d got his big break two decades earlier, with Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band.
—Chris Almeida, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2025
Literary Hub, 14 Aug. 2025
Back then, when a team went broke, finding a new place for it was hard.
—Lori Riley, Hartford Courant, 7 Aug. 2025
Brett Berk, Robb Report, 3 Sep. 2025
Some CEOs step directly into their roles, but some of us got here the long way—by fixing broken processes, building systems ourselves and earning trust on the front lines before becoming CEO.
—Raja Walia, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Sep. 2025
Ship flew for much longer on Flight 9 but ended up losing its attitude control and broke apart in Earth's atmosphere during reentry.
—Mike Wall, Space.com, 26 Aug. 2025
Tad Friend, New Yorker, 4 Aug. 2025
If the piece was indeed destroyed, Warner may have broken the law.
—Andrew Travers, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for break
Verb
Looters broke into a house owned by Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati outside the capital Jakarta overnight, state news agency Antara reported on Sunday.
—CNN Money, 1 Sep. 2025
Sign up fors free True Crime newsletter PEOPLE' for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.
—Christine Pelisek, People.com, 1 Sep. 2025
Noun
Jacob Elordi and Oscar Isaac shared a teary hug during the approximately 14-minute applause break.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 31 Aug. 2025
His band in those days was led by Max Weinberg, who’d got his big break two decades earlier, with Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band.
—Chris Almeida, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2025
Adjective
The phone calls are like guerrilla attacks: her mother is broke and wants the house in Napanee.
—Literary Hub, 14 Aug. 2025
Back then, when a team went broke, finding a new place for it was hard.
—Lori Riley, Hartford Courant, 7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
For those who reside anywhere with broken pavement and steep curb cuts, the lack of a mechanism for lifting the Volante’s front end seems like an oversight, especially since the car’s enhanced hood length and deep seating position place that area at greater risk due to the driver’s perspective.
—Brett Berk, Robb Report, 3 Sep. 2025
Some CEOs step directly into their roles, but some of us got here the long way—by fixing broken processes, building systems ourselves and earning trust on the front lines before becoming CEO.
—Raja Walia, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Verb
That broke a seven-game winning streak, but New York will now quickly shift its attention to a grudge match against the Houston Astros.
—Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Sep. 2025
Ship flew for much longer on Flight 9 but ended up losing its attitude control and broke apart in Earth's atmosphere during reentry.
—Mike Wall, Space.com, 26 Aug. 2025
Verb
If an enterprise seems broken, Diamandis’s impulse is not to fix it but to start a new one.
—Tad Friend, New Yorker, 4 Aug. 2025
If the piece was indeed destroyed, Warner may have broken the law.
—Andrew Travers, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for break
Recent Examples of Synonyms for break
Noun
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Judges have said Trump can extend the pause pending more appeals.—
Ross O'Keefe,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Aug. 2025
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When contacted one week ago by ABC News, a spokesperson for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) said there is no communications pause and that the certification process is moving forward.—
Liz Neporent,
ABC News,
26 Aug. 2025
Noun
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While people seeking out New England beach vacations often overlook the state in favor of Cape Cod and the Massachusetts islands to the north, the state—at only 37 miles wide and 48 miles long—has 400 miles of Atlantic coastline.—
Julie Tremaine,
Forbes.com,
1 Sep. 2025
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When the family comes together for their annual vacation, laughter is guaranteed.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
People.com,
31 Aug. 2025
Noun
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For borrowers in their second or third year of college worried about getting across the finish line, Pierce recommends speaking with financial aid offices to access grants or cheaper loans to fill gaps.—
Rachel Hale,
USA Today,
4 Sep. 2025
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And Russia, already emboldened, will see the gap between rhetoric and capability as permanent.—
Brett Erickson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
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For example, the Riverside Sing is part of a network of singing for well-being opportunities in and around Cincinnati.—
Hailey Roden,
The Enquirer,
31 Aug. 2025
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The airline's struggles may create opportunities for competitors like Frontier, Southwest, and United Airlines.—
Shivansh Tiwary,
USA Today,
31 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Ford said there have not been any reports of accidents or injuries due to any of these issues.—
Saleen Martin,
USA Today,
29 Aug. 2025
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As part of the night’s festivities, Rochietti will also meet the first responders who helped pull him from the accident.—
Tyler Palmateer,
The Tennessean,
29 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Ripley can’t catch a break with her escape pods, and the end of this film features an astonishing demise to one of cinema’s greatest heroines.—
Dan Heching,
CNN Money,
12 Aug. 2025
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Part of what makes Zubimendi so valuable in these sequences is his constant movement to offer himself for the pass, often seen bouncing around midfield, constantly scanning the pitch, with a real knack for showing up at the right time to help his team-mates escape.—
Thom Harris,
New York Times,
11 Aug. 2025
Noun
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After the current storm lull during the end of August and early September due in part to dusty, dry air and cool water in Hurricane Erin's wake, the threat of tropical cyclones is favored to return by the second half of the month and into October and even November, Merrill said.—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
2 Sep. 2025
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Shrek is in a monotonous lull with his kids, Fiona, Donkey, and even Puss in Boots.—
Skyler Trepel September 1,
EW.com,
1 Sep. 2025
Noun
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However, a holiday special for the show is set to premiere in December.—
Saman Shafiq,
USA Today,
26 Aug. 2025
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No trash or recycling will be picked up Monday, Sept 1, in Indianapolis because of the Labor Day holiday.—
John Tufts,
IndyStar,
26 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Break.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/break. Accessed 5 Sep. 2025.
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