Synonyms of breaks
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as in disrupts
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1
as in disrupts
to cause to separate into pieces usually suddenly or forcibly
hated telling her that I had broken her favorite glass vase
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2
as in stops
to bring (as an action or operation) to an immediate end
the final vote broke the deadlock
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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
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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
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5
as in pauses
to come to a temporary halt in one's activity
she broke from her ruminations to find that it was already dinnertime
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6
7
as in violates
to fail to keep
had to confess that he had broken his promise not to share their conversation with anyone
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8
as in solves
to find an answer for through reasoning
Professor Bates broke the problem when she realized that it was possible to synthesize the necessary compounds
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9
as in damages
to reduce the soundness, effectiveness, or perfection of
I broke a tooth on the hard candy
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10
as in dies
to stop functioning
after working for 30 years, the pump simply broke one day
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11
as in retreats
to hasten away from something dangerous or frightening
the herd of gazelles broke when they saw the lions racing toward them from the ridge above
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12
as in wears
to use up all the physical energy of
the trek up the mountain just about broke me
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13
as in circulates
to become known
as soon as the scandal broke, the CEO fled the country
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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
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15
as in begins
to come into existence
the crisis had passed, and a new day was breaking
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16
as in veers
to depart abruptly from a straight line or course
the running back broke to his left before running out of bounds
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17
as in lowers
to diminish the price or value of
distressing economic news that will break many energy stocks
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18
as in exceeds
to go beyond the limit of
a menu with prices that is likely to break the budgets of all but the wealthiest of diners
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1
as in lulls
a momentary halt in an activity
there was a brief break after the first movement as the doors to the concert hall were opened and the latecomers were allowed in
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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
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3
as in gaps
an open space in a barrier (as a wall or hedge)
the rancher repaired the break in the fence where the horse had gotten through
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4
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
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6
as in escapes
the act or an instance of getting free from danger or confinement
a desperate break from that hellhole
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of breaks
Chris Willman, Variety, 9 Jan. 2026
My heart breaks for her family.
—Tim Dunn, Boston Herald, 9 Jan. 2026
This resolution breaks fives decades of work together.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 9 Jan. 2026
James Ransone's wife breaks silence afte 'The Wire' actor's death at 46Need a news break?
—Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 8 Jan. 2026
Gloria Palacio told Star-Telegram media partner WFAA-TV that what happened to her brother breaks her heart.
—Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Jan. 2026
Life breaks each of our hearts in unique ways, and not all of us always recover.
—Shruti Mutalik, Baltimore Sun, 7 Jan. 2026
The unexpectedly tender and touching friendship that forms between them breaks both men open, prompting them to reflect on their memories, regrets, and the possibility of redemption.
—Radhika Seth, Vogue, 6 Jan. 2026
So that breaks the legend of Frank Moses.
—Demetrius Patterson, HollywoodReporter, 5 Jan. 2026
Josh Roberts, USA Today, 10 Jan. 2026
The state has not ruled out highway improvements to access such a stadium but the property tax breaks have stalled in Springfield.
—Rick Pearson, Chicago Tribune, 10 Jan. 2026
Taking regular breaks energizes you to finish tasks faster and show up kinder for others.
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 9 Jan. 2026
Khan said Mullen could be allowed to take breaks during the trial.
—Cameron MacDonald, Mercury News, 9 Jan. 2026
Fishing boats line the harbor, while the beach scene attracts surfers who come to play in the breaks at Plage de Lafitenia.
—Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 8 Jan. 2026
Where some try to avoid the breaks of empty silence in front of a live microphone, Cignetti will often lean into them.
—Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2026
Homecooked meals with Lido’s parents and dips into the nearby fjord filled the gaps during recording breaks.
—Michael Saponara, Billboard, 7 Nov. 2025
Fun Between Scenes The taping stretched over four hours, with breaks between scenes as production reset for the next setup.
—Haley Kluge, Variety, 7 Nov. 2025
Verb
And just seeing the damage there just breaks my heart.
—Noun
Specialized themes span food, trekking, family travel, women-only departures, and short breaks.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for breaks
Verb
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The condition disrupts the production of CoQ10, a molecule essential for generating energy inside cells, leading to rapid neurological decline and loss of mobility.—
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In other words, alcohol disrupts hydration, irritates the gut, inflames blood vessels, messes with sleep, and forces your liver into metabolic overdrive.—
Verb
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The team that stops the run and mitigates mistakes will win this one.—
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The group stops to talk to one who took a fall while riding his bike in his neighborhood.—
Verb
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This degradation not only reduces the usable active material but also creates side reactions that drain performance and shorten battery lifespan.—
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At the same time, hyaluronic acid—the gold standard for hydration—locks in moisture, soothes inflammation, and reduces texture, creating a soft, plump finish.—
Verb
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Qualcomm’s chip can run Linux, along with Arduino software, and can even do computer vision, which deciphers what a camera sees and translates it into software.—
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With that base knowledge and his opponent’s game tape, Nolan analyzes wide receiver alignments and deciphers the offense's attack.—
Verb
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Burnett pauses, considers the question, and then flashes a mischievous grin.—
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As the frame widens, the pacing slows, and the Shakers’ movement pauses, what Fastvold captures is how, out of the expanse of America, the Shakers start to find structure.—
Verb
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After working-class contractor Danny (Steven Yeun) nearly plows his vehicle into affluent business owner Amy’s (Ali Wong) SUV, their road rage incident soon escalates into a full-on feud.—
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Forego melting products altogether and use mechanical methods like shovels, snow blowers, and plows for removal.—
Verb
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The lawsuit alleges the freeze is based on unsupported allegations of social services fraud and violates Congress’ spending power.—
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The association has argued that Measure ULA violates both the state’s constitution and the Los Angeles City Charter.—
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The key is matching the debt relief strategy to your specific situation rather than assuming bankruptcy automatically solves everything.—
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Whether you’re headed to work, church, or a date night, the Gym People midi skirt solves all of your outfit woes.—
Cite this Entry
“Breaks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/breaks. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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