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
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Recent Examples of break down
Samuel Axon, ArsTechnica, 27 Mar. 2025
Below, experts break down the most common types of toxic in-laws—plus, their best advice for handling each one.
—Jenna Ryu, SELF, 27 Mar. 2025
Patrick Gomez, EW.com, 28 Mar. 2025
Ahead, a breakdown of Spring/Summer 2025’s standout summer trends and how to work them seamlessly into your wardrobe.
—Jailynn Taylor, Essence, 27 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for break down
Verb
These were broken down into broad categories, but ultimately the data analysis split people into white and minorities.
—Samuel Axon, ArsTechnica, 27 Mar. 2025
Below, experts break down the most common types of toxic in-laws—plus, their best advice for handling each one.
—Jenna Ryu, SELF, 27 Mar. 2025
Noun
And someone who's having a breakdown and crying non-stop, but yelling at people to sedate her....
—Patrick Gomez, EW.com, 28 Mar. 2025
Ahead, a breakdown of Spring/Summer 2025’s standout summer trends and how to work them seamlessly into your wardrobe.
—Jailynn Taylor, Essence, 27 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for break down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for break down
Verb
-
The curriculum guides middle school students and teachers through building and evaluating computer vision models that can reliably classify fossil shark teeth.—
Christine Wusylko,
The Conversation,
9 Apr. 2025
-
Kathleen Kelley Reardon, an expert on organizational politics, classifies political environments from minimally to pathologically politicized.—
Caroline Castrillon,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The clippings quickly decompose, adding nutrients to the soil in the process.—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
22 Mar. 2025
-
Like the dog, their bodies were decomposing with some mummification, a consequence of body type and climate in Santa Fe's especially dry air at an elevation of nearly 7,200 feet (2,200 meters).—
CBS News,
CBS News,
15 Mar. 2025
Verb
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His knack for reading teammates’ energy and needs is just as sound as his ability to analyze an opponent’s game plan during live action.—
James Jackson,
New York Times,
28 Mar. 2025
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In the new study, researchers analyzed subsidiary burials, or the remains of people that were buried near or around a central burial.—
Irene Wright,
Miami Herald,
28 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
The saxophonist in his band also died, according to manager Enrique Paulino.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
10 Apr. 2025
-
Iconoclastic critic, art historian, and photographer Max Kozloff, who served as Artforum’s executive editor in the 1970s before turning to his own artistic practice, died on April 6.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
10 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
More on the Trump administration A united conservative front on Trump’s immigration purge is beginning to crack over the administration’s aggressive, sometimes slapdash tactics.—
Natasha Frost,
New York Times,
2 Apr. 2025
-
House sparrows prefer to be near humans, so place a birdhouse away from the house and avoid feeding smaller seeds like millet, cracked corn, and milo, which sparrows love.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
2 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Gaethje recently took down Rafael Fiziev and has challenged for the belt before.—
Raja Krishnamoorthi,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Apr. 2025
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Northwestern’s encampment, in Deering Meadow, was taken down in an agreement with students and faculty — believed to be the first between a major U.S. university and pro-Palestinian protesters.—
Caroline Kubzansky,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Over the past year, women’s sports have shattered viewership records.—
Cheryl Robinson,
Forbes.com,
4 Apr. 2025
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Come October, the sound of a puck skimming across ice and players crashing into the boards surrounding a hockey rink may shatter the 2 1/2-year silence.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
3 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Robson suffered two nervous breakdowns and Safechuck had insomnia and depression.—
Danielle Bacher,
People.com,
19 Mar. 2025
-
Ossoff had no reason to expect to win the runoff until Perdue and many in his state party had a collective nervous breakdown over Donald Trump’s efforts to swipe Georgia’s electoral votes.—
Chris Stirewalt,
The Hill,
14 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Break down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/break%20down. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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