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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to die
to stop functioning
the computer finally broke down and had to be replaced
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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
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6
as in to take down
to take apart
the crew was breaking down the party tent when we arrived
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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
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1
as in nervous breakdown
a mental or nervous collapse
if you don't ease your workload, you're going to have a breakdown
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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
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3
as in analysis
the separation and identification of the parts of a whole
the boss wanted a detailed breakdown of the sales figures
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of break down
Alex Weprin,
HollywoodReporter,
29 June 2026
Damages Aren’t One-Size-Fits-All Compensation categories in civil actions break down into economic, non-economic, and sometimes exemplary damages.
—
William Jones,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 June 2026
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
1 July 2026
The hike comes after months of high-profile service issues such as breakdowns, crew shortages and fires.
—
Naomi Ruchim,
CBS News,
1 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for break down
Verb
Below, The Hollywood Reporter breaks down the assets of each side of the split, and what companies could pursue deals.
—
Alex Weprin,
HollywoodReporter,
29 June 2026
Damages Aren’t One-Size-Fits-All Compensation categories in civil actions break down into economic, non-economic, and sometimes exemplary damages.
—
William Jones,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 June 2026
Noun
Here’s what to know about the cases and the rulings on June 30, including a breakdown of how each justice voted.
—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
1 July 2026
The hike comes after months of high-profile service issues such as breakdowns, crew shortages and fires.
—
Naomi Ruchim,
CBS News,
1 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for break down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for break down
Verb
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Companies need to have an airtight hold on their own sourcing data—an understanding not only of where the materials and inputs are coming from, but how to substantiate their claims and classify customs entries with precision.
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Gambling disorder is now classified in the same section in the DSM as substance abuse disorders because of the similarities in clinical presentation and treatment.
Verb
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Every project should be decomposed into tasks, with explicit categorization of which are human, AI or hybrid.
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The owners of Davis Mortuary in Pueblo have been arrested, accused in connection with the investigation that was sparked by last year's discovery of decomposing bodies behind a barricaded door at the mortuary.
Verb
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Cisco has built and is refining an AI tool for investor relations that analyzes its financial history alongside competitors’ earnings calls and can anticipate likely questions from specific analysts.
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In the new study published in JAMA Internal Medicine, researchers analyzed electronic health records from 2001 to 2023 for more than 700,000 pairs of mothers and children in Hong Kong.
Verb
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Ramos’ two daughters –– Darling Antonella, seven, and Dulce María, two –– were staying with their grandparents and great-grandparents, who also died in the earthquakes.
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It was created in 2015 to honor the life and legacy of former ESPN broadcaster Stuart Scott, who died due to cancer earlier that year.
Verb
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Herman Weisberg, a former NYPD detective turned high-profile private investigator, believes one phone call could still crack the case.
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The item was later determined to be crack cocaine, the sheriff’s office said.
Verb
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Trump eventually took down the post but followed it up a few days later with another AI image showing him embraced by Jesus in front of an American flag.
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The 150-foot-by-300-foot flag, which hangs on the dam's south-facing wall, was temporarily taken down in June after developing a large tear.
Verb
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Seconds later, a powerful explosion blasted through the doorway, shattering windows and sending vertical blinds and debris flying as firefighters quickly retreated from the building.
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Republican Rick Jackson shattered spending records in Georgia by spending $108 million of his own money into his campaign for governor.
Noun
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Some people in Caracas and surrounding areas suffered nervous breakdowns following the events of Wednesday afternoon, compounded by warnings that their homes might collapse.
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Decades later, some of the biggest criticisms of Communion are arguably among its most charming virtues, from Walken's idiosyncratic performance as a man on the verge of a nervous breakdown to the cheesy special effects.
Cite this Entry
“Break down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/break%20down. Accessed 4 Jul. 2026.
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