Synonyms of breaks
-
as in disrupts 
-
as in stops
-
as in reduces
-
as in deciphers
-
as in pauses
-
as in plows
-
as in violates
-
as in solves
-
as in damages
-
as in dies
-
as in retreats
-
as in wears
-
as in circulates
-
as in bankrupts
-
as in begins
-
as in veers
-
as in lowers
-
as in exceeds
-
as in surfaces
-
as in lulls
-
as in vacations
-
as in gaps
-
as in opportunities
-
as in accidents
-
as in escapes
-
Example Sentences
-
Entries Near
1
as in disrupts
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 stops
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 reduces
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 deciphers
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 pauses
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 violates
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 solves
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 damages
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 dies
to stop functioning
after working for 30 years, the pump simply broke one day
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
11
as in retreats
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 wears
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 circulates
to become known
as soon as the scandal broke, the CEO fled the country
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
14
as in bankrupts
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 begins
to come into existence
the crisis had passed, and a new day was breaking
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
16
as in veers
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 lowers
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 exceeds
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 lulls
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 vacations
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 gaps
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 accidents
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 escapes
the act or an instance of getting free from danger or confinement
a desperate break from that hellhole
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 breaks
Romina Ruiz-Goiriena, USA Today, 4 Oct. 2025
In an industrial kiln, these pellets reach temperatures of around 900 degrees Celsius, which breaks them down and releases pure CO2 gas.
—Tejasri Gururaj, Interesting Engineering, 3 Oct. 2025
However, that breaks their momentum, leading to fewer overtakes during the race.
—Saajan Jogia, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
The campaign breaks on Friday and was shot by Matt Baron.
—Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 3 Oct. 2025
The deal also breaks new ground on issues specific to this group.
—Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 2 Oct. 2025
The videographer then breaks the monkey’s legs before throwing it against a wall and the floor.
—Kevin Grasha, Cincinnati Enquirer, 1 Oct. 2025
Beyond wanting to increase pay for players—the starting salary for a WNBA rookie barely breaks $75,000, while the maximum is around $250,000—the athletes have also expressed a desire for revenue-sharing.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2025
Democrats have reason to think this breaks their way.
—Philip Elliott, Time, 30 Sep. 2025
Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
The lawsuit claims workers were not paid for pre-shift and post-shift activities, or for work performed during their meal breaks.
—Olivia Evans, Louisville Courier Journal, 3 Oct. 2025
While their competitors in the East are reeling from bad breaks, the Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns All-Star pairing has unvarnished NBA Finals hopes.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
An examination revealed the boy had bone fractures in various stages of healing, suggesting the breaks occurred at different times, according to officials.
—Mitchell Willetts, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Oct. 2025
Guests stay in private cabins completely ensconced by the surrounding forest, taking breaks only to hike over to the spa for a plunge in the heated mineral pool.
—Elly Leavitt, Vogue, 1 Oct. 2025
Mercury and Jupiter both enter your sign on the 8th and 9th respectively, bringing mental clarity and lucky breaks your way.
—Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Oct. 2025
As fall breaks begin for most Middle Tennessee families, people may be looking to have a little fun on the cheap.
—Craig Shoup, Nashville Tennessean, 1 Oct. 2025
Outside of that, school districts across the Valley vary in breaks.
—Paige Moore, AZCentral.com, 26 Sep. 2025
Verb
Laughter from the crowd breaks the tension of what could have been understood as metaphor for Netanyahu’s actions.
—Romina Ruiz-Goiriena, USA Today, 4 Oct. 2025
In an industrial kiln, these pellets reach temperatures of around 900 degrees Celsius, which breaks them down and releases pure CO2 gas.
—Tejasri Gururaj, Interesting Engineering, 3 Oct. 2025
However, that breaks their momentum, leading to fewer overtakes during the race.
—Saajan Jogia, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
The campaign breaks on Friday and was shot by Matt Baron.
—Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 3 Oct. 2025
The deal also breaks new ground on issues specific to this group.
—Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 2 Oct. 2025
The videographer then breaks the monkey’s legs before throwing it against a wall and the floor.
—Kevin Grasha, Cincinnati Enquirer, 1 Oct. 2025
Beyond wanting to increase pay for players—the starting salary for a WNBA rookie barely breaks $75,000, while the maximum is around $250,000—the athletes have also expressed a desire for revenue-sharing.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2025
Democrats have reason to think this breaks their way.
—Philip Elliott, Time, 30 Sep. 2025
Noun
At this level, the EPA advises sensitive groups to take more breaks and do less intense activities when outside.
—Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
The lawsuit claims workers were not paid for pre-shift and post-shift activities, or for work performed during their meal breaks.
—Olivia Evans, Louisville Courier Journal, 3 Oct. 2025
While their competitors in the East are reeling from bad breaks, the Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns All-Star pairing has unvarnished NBA Finals hopes.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
An examination revealed the boy had bone fractures in various stages of healing, suggesting the breaks occurred at different times, according to officials.
—Mitchell Willetts, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Oct. 2025
Guests stay in private cabins completely ensconced by the surrounding forest, taking breaks only to hike over to the spa for a plunge in the heated mineral pool.
—Elly Leavitt, Vogue, 1 Oct. 2025
Mercury and Jupiter both enter your sign on the 8th and 9th respectively, bringing mental clarity and lucky breaks your way.
—Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Oct. 2025
As fall breaks begin for most Middle Tennessee families, people may be looking to have a little fun on the cheap.
—Craig Shoup, Nashville Tennessean, 1 Oct. 2025
Outside of that, school districts across the Valley vary in breaks.
—Paige Moore, AZCentral.com, 26 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for breaks
Verb
-
Once Hughes plays the ball towards Lacroix, Mateta (red) disrupts City’s central zonal defender, Ruben Dias, and the rest of the Palace attackers diverge towards different zones inside the penalty area.—
Ahmed Walid,
New York Times,
24 Sep. 2025
-
What Happens Next As AI disrupts the hiring process across different industries, Thompson anticipates more companies could pull back on hiring altogether.—
Suzanne Blake,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The breakthrough centers on a one-atom-thick filter that stops sulfur chains from clogging up the battery.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
2 Oct. 2025
-
My colleague Hannah Pinski hit the road late last week for a couple campaign stops for Massie alongside Paul, his ally in the Senate.—
Lucas Aulbach,
Louisville Courier Journal,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
This coating reduces absorbency, causes discoloration, and can trap bacteria and odors.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
4 Oct. 2025
-
This robot vacuum reduces daily chores, keeping floors clean of dirt, dust, and pet hair with minimal effort.—
Jacqueline Tempera,
PEOPLE,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
My body no longer deciphers its signals correctly.—
Alaa Alqaisi
August 13,
Literary Hub,
13 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
For many borrowers, the Biden-era pauses on federal student-loan payments have ended, and interest is once again accruing.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Like a lot of preschool shows, Gabby pauses to ask the audience questions and invite them to play along.—
Sarah Whitten,
CNBC,
28 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Introduced as a stereotypical shrewish wife, Yeom plows past any pat characterizations with an energetic, passionate performance, one which requires a surprising degree of physicality.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
16 Sep. 2025
-
What Lies Ahead There is a rapidly closing window to ensure gender parity in leadership as the AI revolution plows forward.—
Cynthia Pong,
Forbes.com,
24 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
But others say the law violates the First Amendment rights of counselors wishing to engage in the practice.—
Andrew Stanton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Although the ‘9-9-6’ workweek violates Chinese labor laws, it was famously endorsed by Alibaba co-founder Jack Ma in 2019.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The OxyChem deal largely solves the debt problem, although Oxy won’t begin redeeming Berkshire’s preferred shares—and their 8% annual interest—until 2029.—
Jordan Blum,
Fortune,
2 Oct. 2025
-
Tune in for short episodes every Wednesday and Saturday as Grumpy answers reader questions, solves seasonal conundrums, and provides need-to-know advice for gardeners with his very Grumpy sense of humor.—
Steve Bender,
Southern Living,
1 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Breaks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/breaks. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share