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 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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Example Sentences
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Phrases Containing
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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
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2
as in to stop
to bring (as an action or operation) to an immediate end
the final vote broke the deadlock
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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9
as in to damage
to reduce the soundness, effectiveness, or perfection of
I broke a tooth on the hard candy
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10
as in to die
to stop functioning
after working for 30 years, the pump simply broke one day
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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
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12
as in to wear
to use up all the physical energy of
the trek up the mountain just about broke me
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13
as in to circulate
to become known
as soon as the scandal broke, the CEO fled the country
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14
15
as in to begin
to come into existence
the crisis had passed, and a new day was breaking
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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
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17
as in to depress
to diminish the price or value of
distressing economic news that will break many energy stocks
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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6
as in escape
the act or an instance of getting free from danger or confinement
a desperate break from that hellhole
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Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of break
Brian Truitt, USA Today, 1 July 2025
While Clark has been integral in the rise of the WNBA’s popularity since breaking rookie and league records last season with the Fever, there have been many contentious moments over that span of games with opponents.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2025
Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 30 June 2025
The Senate version of the legislation, the centerpiece of Trump’s economic agenda, makes permanent individual and business tax breaks enacted in 2017, while adding temporary new breaks for tipped and overtime workers, seniors and car-buyers.
—Rachel Cohrs Zhang, Fortune, 29 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for break
Verb
In one harrowing scene when Metropolis is in danger, reporters for the Daily Planet newspaper – packed into a moving vehicle, no less – work to break a major exclusive story on deadline and there's Jimmy (Skyler Gisondo), typing like the Flash on his laptop.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 1 July 2025
While Clark has been integral in the rise of the WNBA’s popularity since breaking rookie and league records last season with the Fever, there have been many contentious moments over that span of games with opponents.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2025
Noun
Anyone hankering for a Beaver Nugget break on their travels can swing by the new spot, which is located right off I-81 in Rockingham County.
—Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 30 June 2025
The Senate version of the legislation, the centerpiece of Trump’s economic agenda, makes permanent individual and business tax breaks enacted in 2017, while adding temporary new breaks for tipped and overtime workers, seniors and car-buyers.
—Rachel Cohrs Zhang, Fortune, 29 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for break
Recent Examples of Synonyms for break
Verb
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The Justice Department has filed similar prosecutions in recent years, as well as created an initiative aimed at disrupting the threat.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
1 July 2025
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As discussed ad nauseum Iran could disrupt shipping in the Arabian/Persian Gulf, but only partly and only for a brief period.—
Michael Lynch,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
Verb
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Without any consequences, this autocratic politician will continue to push the limits of his authority beyond the breaking point until someone forces him to stop.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
29 June 2025
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Paul Goldschmidt had one of just three Yankees hits in Saturday’s 7-0 loss to the A’s, but that didn’t stop him from sharing some self-depreciation after the game.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
29 June 2025
Verb
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To reduce background noise when making phone calls or joining in with a video meeting, Headphone (1) has a 4-microphone ENC system that’s backed up by AI.—
Mark Sparrow,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
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As part of its strategy to reduce cancer rates, the European Commission aims to reduce tobacco use to less than 5% of the EU population by 2040.—
Lisa Klaassen,
CNN Money,
1 July 2025
Verb
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In other words, there was too much atmospheric static to decipher information using classical techniques.—
Joanna Thompson,
Space.com,
21 June 2025
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Mortgage professionals have mastered the art of deciphering hidden meanings, changing fears into wisdom and confusion into action.—
Neil Anders,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2025
Verb
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If booking rates drop, campaigns get paused instantly.—
Michael Fox,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2025
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Chinese consumers may have paused luxury spending, but the country remains firmly in the sights of industry leader Louis Vuitton.—
Joelle Diderich,
Footwear News,
1 July 2025
Verb
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While pestilence crept over the walls of cities and the countryside fell into desolation—many foreign conquerors of Europe knew how to fight and plunder but not to plow or sow—the monks preserved words.—
Bernd Roeck
June 16,
Literary Hub,
16 June 2025
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For the San Diegans who’ve plowed serious coin into SDFC matches, the event will pose a challenge.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 June 2025
Verb
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Earlier in the week, perhaps the most notable setback was a ruling by the Senate parliamentarian that a cap on health care provider taxes, which is projected to save billions of dollars in federal Medicaid spending, violated the Senate’s Byrd Rule.—
Alexander Bolton,
The Hill,
29 June 2025
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The Senate parliamentarian had ruled that these provisions governing current student loan borrowers violated senate reconciliation rules.—
Adam S. Minsky,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2025
Verb
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After watching Ironheart, viewers will be challenged by the notion that talent and aspirations alone aren't enough to solve every problem.—
DeVonne Goode,
Parents,
25 June 2025
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Honor solves this problem by integrating advanced artificial intelligence (AI) directly into its operations.—
Glenn Llopis,
Forbes.com,
25 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Break.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/break. Accessed 7 Jul. 2025.
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