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
Anne Wolf, Martha Stewart, 7 Jan. 2026
Numbers split when broken down by education and politics.
—Essence, 7 Jan. 2026
Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 7 Jan. 2026
It's got arrows and breakdowns.
—Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 7 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for break down
Verb
This higher temperature darkens the paste, slightly caramelizes the sugar, and deactivates enzymes that would otherwise break down pectin, resulting in a thicker, more cooked-tasting product.
—Noun
This breakdown in talks between the two automotive superpowers led to Ford going into overdrive to develop a car to beat any machine from Maranello at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for break down
Verb
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The department classifies Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger under its highest Level 4 advisory, warning Americans about issues of terrorism, crime, kidnapping, and more.—
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Those only include what the police classify as murders or non-negligent manslaughter.—
Verb
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Investigators later searched the Ephrata home and storage unit of Jonathan Christ Gerlach, 34, and reported finding more than 100 human skulls, long bones, mummified hands and feet, two decomposing torsos and other skeletal items.—
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For nearly two weeks before embarking on the cross-country road trip, the teenager lived with his parents’ decomposing bodies.—
Verb
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This article was generated by the Bay Area Home Report Bot, software that analyzes home sales or other data and creates an article based on a template created by humans.—
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To generate the report, Dunnhumby analyzed customer and financial data for the 81 largest supermarket, discount, superstore, club and online banners in the nation, including perceptions of retailers' value.—
Verb
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By 1971, Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison, Jimi Hendrix, and Brian Jones had all died at the age of twenty-seven from drugs and alcohol.—
-
This year's awards season promises to deliver more inspiration, but in the meantime, do yourself a favor an invest in a quality round brush, some styling gel or pomade, and a ride-or-die can of hairspray.—
Verb
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Over time, the gasket can become dry and cracked, allowing hot air to enter the fridge.—
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Grout's biggest challenge is cracking from improper installation or too much moisture.—
Verb
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Tempers flared between these division rivals with just over a minute left in the second as Verhaeghe took down Artem Zub with a cross-check from behind.—
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The show followed Jonathan Pine (Tom Hiddleston), a former British military officer who goes undercover to help take down Richard Roper (Hugh Laurie), a cunning, amoral arms dealer helping to destabilize the Middle East.—
Verb
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The Creature is slowed, however, when gunfire shatters the ice around its feet, plunging it into the cold sea.—
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Troconis’ case for being a cooperating witness was shattered when Dulos died after attempting to commit suicide in January 2020, Bowman testified.—
Noun
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Dern played a troubled sales executive who moves back in with her mom after a nervous breakdown at the office.—
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Lane is on the verge of a nervous breakdown.—
Cite this Entry
“Break down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/break%20down. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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