break open
verb
broke open; broken open; breaking open; breaks open
: to open or to cause (something) to open suddenly
The pods broke open and the seeds scattered on the wind.
The police broke open the door.
The burglars broke the locked safe open.
Examples of break open in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Olise’s first meaningful contribution of this World Cup was a through ball that helped to break open a stubborn Senegalese defence.
—
Thom Harris,
New York Times,
4 July 2026
Her stepmother was able to break open and widen a small hole, and pull her father out of the building.
—
Syra Ortiz Blanes,
Miami Herald,
30 June 2026
The two-run shot broke open what had been a tight contest in the opener of a three-game series.
—
Sean Hammond,
Chicago Tribune,
27 June 2026
Colin Hynek's three-run homer broke open a close game in the eighth inning and sent North Carolina to a 6-2 win over Mississippi in the College World Series on Friday night.
—
ABC News,
12 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for break open
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Thom Harris,
New York Times,
4 July 2026
Her stepmother was able to break open and widen a small hole, and pull her father out of the building.
—
Syra Ortiz Blanes,
Miami Herald,
30 June 2026
The two-run shot broke open what had been a tight contest in the opener of a three-game series.
—
Sean Hammond,
Chicago Tribune,
27 June 2026
Colin Hynek's three-run homer broke open a close game in the eighth inning and sent North Carolina to a 6-2 win over Mississippi in the College World Series on Friday night.
—
ABC News,
12 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for break open
Cite this Entry
“Break open.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/break%20open. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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