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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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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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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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
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Recent Examples of break
Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 25 May 2026
In August 2023, ground broke on a vast sediment diversion project to boost the wetlands and help safeguard south Louisiana from storms and rising seas.
—Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 25 May 2026
Elyssa Kaufman, CBS News, 26 May 2026
The new spot will offer lunches, dinners and weekend brunch, and aims to be a choice spot for taking a shopping break or getting together for cocktails and celebratory nights out.
—Laura Ness, Mercury News, 26 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for break
Verb
In 2026, The Times revealed William plans to sell 20 percent of the estate in a tradition-breaking move.
—Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 25 May 2026
In August 2023, ground broke on a vast sediment diversion project to boost the wetlands and help safeguard south Louisiana from storms and rising seas.
—Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 25 May 2026
Noun
Manny's Deli employees told CBS News Chicago that overnight workers had heard the glass break and saw a person with a hammer run into a white sedan.
—Elyssa Kaufman, CBS News, 26 May 2026
The new spot will offer lunches, dinners and weekend brunch, and aims to be a choice spot for taking a shopping break or getting together for cocktails and celebratory nights out.
—Laura Ness, Mercury News, 26 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for break
Recent Examples of Synonyms for break
Verb
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Understanding these unexpected auroras could improve forecasts of dangerous space weather, which can disrupt satellites, GPS systems, communications and even power grids during extreme solar storms.—
Samantha Mathewson,
Space.com,
26 May 2026
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The fears that artificial intelligence will disrupt its business are alive and well, as Bank of America's sell call on the stock last week shows.—
Kevin Stankiewicz,Zev Fima,
CNBC,
25 May 2026
Verb
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Blackwood made two highlight-reel saves during a Vegas power play and stopped multiple mini-breakaways in the middle period as well.—
Corey Masisak,
Denver Post,
27 May 2026
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Don't let a lack of sunshine stop you from enjoying a bountiful harvest of vegetables that grow in the shade.—
Rita Pelczar,
Better Homes & Gardens,
26 May 2026
Verb
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Clarify roles, reduce unnecessary scope, and make expectations specific enough for everyone to follow.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
26 May 2026
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The field will be reduced to 15 teams after three days of stroke play.—
Bill Center,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 May 2026
Verb
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Immigration experts who were trying to decipher the news said the memo was more nuanced, leading to confusion over what the change actually entailed.—
Rebecca Santana,
Chicago Tribune,
27 May 2026
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This season, with a full deck of defensive backs — including rookies Will Lee and Zakee Wheatley — Evero will decipher his best secondary combinations.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
27 May 2026
Verb
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Investment decisions into some data center projects in the region have been paused or are taking longer as the conflict continues.—
Lim Hui Jie,
CNBC,
25 May 2026
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June 21 – July 22 Take a moment to pause and reflect before communicating today.—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
24 May 2026
Verb
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Federal Police spokesperson An Berger said the minibus driver appeared to have plowed through the barrier.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
26 May 2026
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Federal police spokesperson An Berger said the minibus driver appeared to have plowed through the barrier.—
Sam McNeil,
Los Angeles Times,
26 May 2026
Verb
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OpenAI filed its first formal legal response to the Raine lawsuit in November 2025, denying responsibility and arguing the teen had violated the terms of service.—
Jason Snyder,
Forbes.com,
24 May 2026
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Both the actions violated Zaczkowski's constitutional rights to free speech, argued Zaczkowski's attorney, Andy McNulty, in the complaint.—
Logan Smith,
CBS News,
24 May 2026
Verb
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With Blue Origin’s New Glenn soon to fly its first mission for Amazon, Arianespace’s Ariane 6 on stable footing, and the prospect of more Falcon 9 launches on the horizon, Amazon may have turned a corner in solving its rocket conundrum.—
Stephen Clark,
ArsTechnica,
28 May 2026
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Irreverent and misguided, his genius and famous name weigh heavily on him, but using his gift to help solve homicides may — finally — offer his life some direction and purpose.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
28 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Break.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/break. Accessed 30 May. 2026.
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