breaks 1 of 2

present tense third-person singular of break
1
2
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
6
as in plows
to cut into and turn over the sod of (a piece of land) using a bladed implement farmers once broke fields with horse-drawn plows

Synonyms & Similar Words

7
8
9
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
12
13
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
16
17
18
19
as in surfaces
to penetrate the surface (as of water) from below dolphins were breaking all around the boat

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

breaks

2 of 2

noun

plural of break
1
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
4
as in opportunities
a favorable combination of circumstances, time, and place in classic fashion, her big break came when, as an understudy, she took over for an ailing star

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for breaks
Verb
  • Being pushed out of a stable home disrupts childhood learning and mental health.
    Jane Hursh, Orlando Sentinel, 22 Mar. 2025
  • We've all been told not to look at a screen before bedtime because the light disrupts sleep, right?
    Sanaz Meshkinpour, NPR, 21 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The woman in question was identified as Renee Brown, a 36-year-old single mom who works two jobs, loves her kid, and never stops, à la Reba McEntire.
    Marc Griffin, VIBE.com, 8 Jan. 2025
  • The rule does not get rid of the debt itself, but stops it from having an impact on a consumer’s credit worthiness.
    Joseph Choi, The Hill, 7 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Mulch also reduces problems with heaving soils.
    Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 4 Jan. 2025
  • Ionic technology reduces frizz while dual bristles detangle and glide through hair for a silky smooth blowout every time.
    Vacation, refinery29.com, 4 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Major publishing companies and authors are arguing that a federal judge should deny Florida’s request to dismiss a lawsuit over the removal of school library books, saying a controversial state law violates First Amendment rights.
    Jim Saunders, Orlando Sentinel, 24 Dec. 2024
  • Incentives could also encompass partial sanctions relief, with snap-back clauses to reimpose them if Russia violates the terms of the deal.
    Samuel Charap, Foreign Affairs, 24 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Detroit’s players and coaches emphasized the chance for a reset going into the three-day holiday break this week, and maybe that solves a few issues.
    Max Bultman, The Athletic, 24 Dec. 2024
  • But in reality these moments are when the brain consolidates memories, solves complex problems, and generates creative insights.
    Richard E. Cytowic, TIME, 23 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • When an individual dies, the body starts naturally decomposing almost immediately.
    Vanessa Etienne, People.com, 28 Feb. 2025
  • Much like a proper Neapolitan pizza lives or dies by its crust, great breakfast tacos depend on the quality of the tortilla.
    Edmund Tijerina, Bon Appétit, 27 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • That minimal percentage is caused by extremely dry air that circulates throughout the cabin at 30,000 feet.
    Sara Button, AFAR Media, 19 Dec. 2024
  • There’s no air conditioning, but a fan circulates air, and tents stay cool overnight.
    Nicole Trilivas, Travel + Leisure, 8 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • The process usually begins with an investigation, followed by the introduction of articles of impeachment to the House Judiciary Committee.
    Kevin Sabet, Newsweek, 24 Mar. 2025
  • Most of this year’s top quarterback prospects will throw during pro day workouts this week, unofficially marking the last phase of the evaluation process before the NFL Draft begins on April 24.
    Zac Jackson, The Athletic, 24 Mar. 2025
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.

Cite this Entry

“Breaks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/breaks. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on breaks

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!