1
as in to classify
to arrange or assign according to type
when presented with the pile of files, the first thing he did was to break them down by month, order within the month, and region
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to decompose
to go through decomposition
the enamel of a human tooth will begin to break down when exposed to sugar for too long
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to analyze
to identify and examine the basic elements or parts of (something) especially for discovering interrelationships
if we break the problem down into what appear to be three aspects of it, we'll have a better chance of solving it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to die
to stop functioning
the computer finally broke down and had to be replaced
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in to crack
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
as in to take down
to take apart
the crew was breaking down the party tent when we arrived
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in to shatter
to cause to break with violence and much noise
firefighters had to break down the wall to rescue the kitten
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in nervous breakdown
a mental or nervous collapse
if you don't ease your workload, you're going to have a breakdown
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in decomposition
the process by which dead organic matter separates into simpler substances
the breakdown of the body was arrested by the embalming process
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in analysis
the separation and identification of the parts of a whole
the boss wanted a detailed breakdown of the sales figures
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of break down
Sari Hitchins, Parents, 14 Mar. 2025
Below, the experts break down the signs of protein deficiency…
1.
—Fiona Embleton, Glamour, 14 Mar. 2025
Mychael Schnell, The Hill, 13 Mar. 2025
Through it all—the fights, the coupon cutting, the hand-me-downs, the breakdowns—with love, humor and perseverance, the family prevails.
—Denise Petski, Deadline, 12 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for break down
Verb
However, Benzene can be found in these types of products when benzoyl peroxide breaks down at elevated temperatures, sometimes during storage and transportation.
—Sari Hitchins, Parents, 14 Mar. 2025
Below, the experts break down the signs of protein deficiency…
1.
—Fiona Embleton, Glamour, 14 Mar. 2025
Noun
With this vacancy, the new breakdown in the lower chamber is 218 Republicans and 213 Democrats, meaning the GOP can lose two votes on any party-line effort and still get it over the finish line, giving Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) more wiggle room in his razor-thin majority.
—Mychael Schnell, The Hill, 13 Mar. 2025
Through it all—the fights, the coupon cutting, the hand-me-downs, the breakdowns—with love, humor and perseverance, the family prevails.
—Denise Petski, Deadline, 12 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for break down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for break down
Verb
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Despite the depth and breadth of his transactions, Sweeney did not classify his work as a teardown.—
Fluto Shinzawa,
The Athletic,
8 Mar. 2025
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Using data from nearly 10,000 herbarium specimens, scientists at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History have brought attention to the conservation status of these plants, revealing that 87 species—almost half of the genus—are now classified as threatened with extinction.—
Ella Jeffries,
Smithsonian Magazine,
7 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The composting bin contains some 250,000 red wiggler worms that feast on the manure of the animals and poultry that live on the farm, and decompose plant detritus, coffee grounds, and table scraps as well.—
Joshua Siskin,
Orange County Register,
8 Mar. 2025
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In a forensic context, mummification occurs when a dead body dries out instead of decomposing as normal, due to a warm, dry and well-ventilated environment, according to the National Library of Medicine.—
Taijuan Moorman,
USA TODAY,
1 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Creativity Can Be Your AI-Proof Superpower Sure, AI can analyze data much faster than any human, but true creativity?—
William Arruda,
Forbes,
16 Mar. 2025
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Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said this week that the FAA will use artificial intelligence to analyze data to look for similar danger areas.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
15 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The weather changed with the seasons; crops were planted and harvested; festivals were celebrated; people were born, aged and died, all predictably.—
James Byrne,
The Conversation,
17 Mar. 2025
-
Michelle is morally and ethically confused, but decides that the greater good of the world depends on her brother dying.—
Lea Veloso,
StyleCaster,
17 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
The fact that Tran’s new-to-South-Beach Agent Lee is set on the path of cracking the case by asking her colleagues if there are any good Chinese restaurants in the city could cause some to roll their eyes for various reasons.—
Stephen Saito,
Variety,
9 Mar. 2025
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Racial prejudice presented the Chicago Woman’s Club with a tougher nut to crack.—
Ron Grossman,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Guinea fowl, small birds that can take down predators while working in groups, become an apt metaphor for the way the women bond together, as well as a haunting visual motif.—
Esther Zuckerman,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2025
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The Cardinals were not expected to make a deep run and took down No. 1 San Antonio Brennan in the state semifinals.—
Charles Baggarly,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
6 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The animated blockbuster, which has shattered box office records, will debut in the U.K. and Ireland on March 21, with previews beginning March 14.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
10 Mar. 2025
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Investigators say at least seven shots were fired, damaging three cars and shattering windows.—
Chris Isidore,
CNN,
10 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Another great performance in a go-for-broke horror flick about a woman well over the verge of a nervous breakdown.—
Amy Nicholson,
Twin Cities,
1 Mar. 2025
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Following the breakup, Claudel suffered a nervous breakdown and was committed for psychiatric treatment.—
Tessa Solomon for ARTnews,
Robb Report,
19 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Break down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/break%20down. Accessed 21 Mar. 2025.
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