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 and return valuable nutrients to the soil.—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
13 Apr. 2025
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Authorities allege the teenager fatally shot the couple at their home outside Milwaukee in February and lived with the decomposing bodies for weeks before fleeing with $14,000 cash, passports and the family dog.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
13 Apr. 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
-
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
-
The saxophonist in his band also died, according to manager Enrique Paulino.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
10 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Unhackable networks: Traditional encryption relies on complex math problems that could eventually be cracked by powerful computers.—
Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report,
FOXNews.com,
14 Apr. 2025
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Police are serious about cracking the case and mention ordering pizza to settle in for the night at headquarters.—
Andy Hoglund,
EW.com,
13 Apr. 2025
Verb
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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
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And the website Foster Love took down a story about Kelce’s purchase for homeless youth that was the basis for those national articles about his generosity.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Trump and Musk are truly onions made of glass: shiny orbs of one insubstantial layer over another, with nothing in the center, liable to be shattered under the slightest pressure.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Apr. 2025
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And amid the challenges, there’s a growing push for transparency in the beauty industry, especially as entrepreneurs are speaking out more about the realities of running a business, shattering the illusion of effortless success.—
Kimberly Wilson,
Essence,
12 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Robson suffered two nervous breakdowns and Safechuck had insomnia and depression.—
Danielle Bacher,
People.com,
19 Mar. 2025
-
That triggered a nervous breakdown.—
Ron Grossman,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Break down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/break%20down. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
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