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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Related Articles
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Entries Near
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
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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
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of break
Jackson Thompson, Fox News, 8 Feb. 2025
Two years ago, a record was broken when Grand Champion steer Snoop Dog commanded a whopping $440,000.
—Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Feb. 2025
Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 9 Feb. 2025
Solo Ball raced to 13 points in the first half, continuing his otherworldly shooting, but didn’t have as many opportunities and went scoreless after the break.
—Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 8 Feb. 2025
Ryan Ermey, CNBC, 13 Jan. 2025
This has led to worries that, with all the damage from the current fires, the plan will go broke.
—Elizabeth Kolbert, The New Yorker, 10 Jan. 2025
Ross Raihala, Twin Cities, 8 Feb. 2025
Mine-Cart Madness, in the Donkey Kong Country subsection of Super Nintendo World, already has a talking point: A moment where the car appears to leap over a gap in its broken rail.
—Dewayne Bevil, Orlando Sentinel, 8 Feb. 2025
Christy Piña, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Dec. 2024
But then the defense broke again on the Blue run.
—The Athletic College Football Staff, The Athletic, 21 Dec. 2024
Matthew Fairburn, The Athletic, 24 Dec. 2024
When the pot was broken, the gifts would spill out, acting as an offering to Huitzilopochtli.
—Monica Navarro, The Arizona Republic, 24 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for break 
Verb
Brady noticed something wrong about the Lions’ defense as the Commanders broke their huddle.
—Jackson Thompson, Fox News, 8 Feb. 2025
Two years ago, a record was broken when Grand Champion steer Snoop Dog commanded a whopping $440,000.
—Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Feb. 2025
Noun
It’s been a strange season for the Chiefs, who went 15-1 in games started by Mahomes but caught breaks along the way.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 9 Feb. 2025
Solo Ball raced to 13 points in the first half, continuing his otherworldly shooting, but didn’t have as many opportunities and went scoreless after the break.
—Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 8 Feb. 2025
Adjective
About half of participants lost money, and 1 in 6 went broke.
—Ryan Ermey, CNBC, 13 Jan. 2025
This has led to worries that, with all the damage from the current fires, the plan will go broke.
—Elizabeth Kolbert, The New Yorker, 10 Jan. 2025
Adjective
Reed was shirtless, barefoot and bleeding from numerous cuts from the broken window.
—Ross Raihala, Twin Cities, 8 Feb. 2025
Mine-Cart Madness, in the Donkey Kong Country subsection of Super Nintendo World, already has a talking point: A moment where the car appears to leap over a gap in its broken rail.
—Dewayne Bevil, Orlando Sentinel, 8 Feb. 2025
Verb
After the news of Zuckerberg’s bunker broke, other one-percenters followed suit.
—Christy Piña, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Dec. 2024
But then the defense broke again on the Blue run.
—The Athletic College Football Staff, The Athletic, 21 Dec. 2024
Verb
Buffalo’s season is all but over, and the team has looked broken.
—Matthew Fairburn, The Athletic, 24 Dec. 2024
When the pot was broken, the gifts would spill out, acting as an offering to Huitzilopochtli.
—Monica Navarro, The Arizona Republic, 24 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for break
Recent Examples of Synonyms for break
Noun
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Not done yet Martin Truex Jr. has put his retirement on pause for another shot at the Daytona 500.—
Edgar Thompson,
Orlando Sentinel,
9 Feb. 2025
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On Friday, a judge prevented the Trump administration from placing 2,200 employees of the U.S. Agency for International Development, known as USAID, on administrative leave, after a pause on all new U.S. foreign assistance programs funded by the State Department and USAID the week prior.—
Kaia Hubbard,
CBS News,
9 Feb. 2025
Noun
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An illustrious modeling career means Elsesser is often jet-setting the globe, and as a result, her time at home has become her vacation time.—
Mayer Rus,
Architectural Digest,
11 Feb. 2025
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Kick off your vacation or say goodbye to a wonderful trip in style by making dinner reservations at Old Florida Fish House.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
10 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Even today, having to fight to be represented in magazines and museums, galleries, the price gap for Black art.—
Lisa Deaderick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Feb. 2025
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Florida test scores are already at a 20-year low due to the state underfunding education, so eliminating the U.S. Department of Education would further reduce funding and increase the learning gap between the rich and everyone else.—
Darren Soto,
Orlando Sentinel,
16 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Artists like Lamar seize this opportunity to showcase their talent on an unparalleled stage, leading to significant boosts in music sales and streaming numbers.—
Yaakov Katz,
Newsweek,
9 Feb. 2025
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Coming off a contentious last couple weeks for his film’s awards campaign, Audiard had a more light-hearted opportunity to reflect on his Best Picture nominee.—
Vincent Perella,
IndieWire,
9 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The fact that such different sets of circumstances led to very different kinds of accidents, should provide some reassurance to the flying public, with no connective tissue linking one accident to another.—
Jeffrey Kluger,
TIME,
11 Feb. 2025
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Blunt force trauma Another leading cause of death of migrants is falling from heights or experiencing car accidents.—
Marni LaFleur,
The Conversation,
11 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The three prisoners chiseled an escape route from their own jail cells and built makeshift, papier mâché heads.—
Ryan Morik,
Fox News,
13 Feb. 2025
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While the rest of her outfit is slim and close-fitting, the plush and full-bodied coat collar is gargantuan—perfect for the London chill, and a quick escape into the night with partner Callum Turner.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
13 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The degree of care that went into the documentary aspects of the six hours matched the flawless way in which 27 acts proceeded one another on stage with nary a lull or snafu in sight.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
31 Jan. 2025
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That lull in performance coincided with Pickens’ injury absence and an emphasis from opponents on eliminating the deep ball.—
Mike DeFabo,
The Athletic,
22 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Weekly cases peaked at 577 late last year, before plummeting to less than 200 over the New Year's holiday.—
Alexander Tin,
CBS News,
11 Feb. 2025
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Forecasted snow accumulation was once something locals celebrated as a pop-up winter holiday, but this year, after back-to-back snow events, the forecast has become trauma inducing.—
Karri Peifer,
Axios,
11 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near break
Cite this Entry
“Break.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/break. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.
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