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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of break down
Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 2 Mar. 2025
However, all appliances start to break down over time.
—Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Mar. 2025
Morgan Fargo, Vogue, 27 Feb. 2025
Downplaying concerns and avoiding difficult situations can cause a breakdown in trust and a sense of not being valued.
—Jake Webster, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for break down
Verb
The ceasefire is the first sign of a breakthrough since peace talks between the PKK and Ankara broke down in the summer of 2015.
—Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 2 Mar. 2025
However, all appliances start to break down over time.
—Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Mar. 2025
Noun
Rumors are circulating that Brown could be set to play Britney Spears—who suffered a breakdown in the harsh glare of the tabloid spotlight in the noughties—in a forthcoming biopic.
—Morgan Fargo, Vogue, 27 Feb. 2025
Downplaying concerns and avoiding difficult situations can cause a breakdown in trust and a sense of not being valued.
—Jake Webster, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for break down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for break down
Verb
-
Previous assessments already painted a grim picture, with a third of sharks, rays, and chimaeras classified as threatened with extinction.—
Melissa Cristina Márquez,
Forbes,
24 Feb. 2025
-
Additionally, Florida case law and judicial precedents in divorce cases classify embryos as assets, subject to legal distribution.—
Andrew Rader,
Sun Sentinel,
23 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Officers responding to reports of a dead woman discovered a decomposing body inside a shed at an apartment complex, Utah police and news outlets reported.—
Don Sweeney,
Sacramento Bee,
24 Feb. 2025
-
Vultures not only consume dead animals that might otherwise remain out in the elements to decompose, according to the Wildlife Center of Virginia.—
Phaedra Trethan,
USA TODAY,
21 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
The Toronto Maple Leafs have done some due diligence on Schenn, checking in with those who watch the Blues play regularly, and The Athletic also analyzed the trade fit.—
Jeremy Rutherford,
The Athletic,
5 Mar. 2025
-
Recent research from Florida State University analyzed data from over 600,000 participants and found that loneliness increased the risk of Alzheimer’s disease by 14%, vascular dementia by 17%, and cognitive impairment by 12%.—
Carolyn Rosenblatt,
Forbes,
4 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
In Nebraska, two people died after losing control of their vehicle amid Tuesday’s winter weather, according to the state patrol.—
Mary Gilbert,
CNN,
5 Mar. 2025
-
The Miracle of Gene Hackman Hackman's pacemaker showed that his last event was recorded on Feb. 17, indicating this is likely when the actor died, according to Mendoza.—
Rebecca Schneid,
TIME,
5 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
The 26-year-old winger is on pace to crack 90 points, and the pop in his production can be explained by a few factors.—
Harman Dayal,
The Athletic,
25 Feb. 2025
-
If not, there will be another opportunity to crack a new puzzle on Tuesday.—
Mark Joseph,
Newsweek,
24 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Data Disappears As a result of Trump’s order on gender identity, health researchers say, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention took down online information about transgender health and removed data on LGBTQ+ health.—
Stephanie Armour,
CNN,
21 Feb. 2025
-
For instance, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention took down data from the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System, which includes questions asking whether teens identify as transgender.—
Geoffrey Skelley,
ABC News,
20 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
As the two vehicles collided, there was a loud boom; their windshields shattered, and the scene was engulfed in smoke.—
Stephania Taladrid,
The New Yorker,
27 Feb. 2025
-
Recent events have shattered her image as a role model—a persona that has long been disputed by some of her co-stars.—
Louis Staples,
Rolling Stone,
26 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
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
-
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 9 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share