break in 1 of 2

verb

Definition of break innext
1
as in to invade
to enter a house or building by force usually with illegal intent the burglars broke in by smashing a window

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in to interrupt
to cause a disruption in a conversation or discussion he rudely broke in to drop the names of several celebrities that he had met

Synonyms & Similar Words

break-in

2 of 2

noun

as in burglary

Related Words

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of break in
Verb
Harry Brown, a postdoctoral research associate at the University of Sydney’s Heat and Health Research Centre, expressed frustration over the universal breaks in an op-ed in the journal Nature. — Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026 The couple escaped to Lake Como in May 2024 during a break in the European leg of the Eras Tour. — Bryan West, USA Today, 7 July 2026
Noun
Waterproof in all but a driving rain, no break-in period and blister-free after a 15-mile, 3,000-foot elevation gain day. — Winston Ross, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026 Police officers responding to Leslie Martin's call and separate reports of a break-in found Doug Martin hiding in a neighbor’s home. — ABC News, 25 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for break in
Recent Examples of Synonyms for break in
  1. invade
  2. interrupt
  3. burglary
  4. rob
  5. cut in
  6. holdup
  7. mugging
Verb
  • Moisture invades your porch cushions and flooring, leading to the growth of mold, mildew, and algae.
    — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 4 July 2026
  • Various types of cancer, in which malignant tumors invade surrounding tissues, contributed to between 13,000 and 20,000 deaths annually in this time frame.
    — Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026
Definition of invade
Verb
  • Severe weather, changing sea states, interrupted communications and vast distances are everyday realities.
    — Mira Tzur, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026
  • The bank said previous interventions had only temporarily interrupted the yen’s slide before USD/JPY resumed climbing, and expects a similar pattern if authorities intervene again.
    — Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 6 July 2026
Definition of interrupt
Noun
  • He was arrested on suspicion of burglary and booked into Santa Clara County jail.
    — Jason Green, Mercury News, 10 July 2026
  • Three Bay Area men are facing charges in the May burglary of a cannabis facility that led to a fatal shooting by a security guard, Sacramento police announced Thursday.
    — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 9 July 2026
Definition of burglary
Verb
  • According to prosecutors, Pooh Shiesty robbed the record label owner of about $450,000 worth of items including his wedding band, a watch, a pair of earrings and cash.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 July 2026
  • Florida state prosecutors allege that in February 2026, Arnold coordinated and directed his codefendants to lure three men to an apartment where the men were robbed, beaten and held at gunpoint.
    — DeJanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 30 June 2026
Definition of rob
Verb
  • But the dramatic cut in drug production was also due in part to farmers being given alternative crops to the cultivation of opium poppies, De Croo said, noting that funding for such programs had been severely curtailed.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 July 2026
  • The dot-plot grid of individual members’ expectations, in which Warsh did not participate, narrowly tilted toward one rate hike this year, then a cut in each of the following two years.
    — Jeff Cox, CNBC, 8 July 2026
Definition of cut in
Noun
  • Colorado’s entire bipartisan congressional delegation has criticized the holdup of this funding in the midst of this year’s drought.
    — Kelly Fleming, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
  • The holdup played a significant role in bringing about the bankruptcy filing.
    — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 30 June 2026
Definition of holdup
Noun
  • Is a 1-game suspension enough for the mugging?
    — Zach Dean OutKick, FOXNews.com, 26 June 2026
  • While investigating this incident, CPD also learned that a shot was fired during a mugging, also in the Lincoln Park neighborhood.
    — Adam Harrington, CBS News, 7 June 2026
Definition of mugging

Browse Nearby Words

breakfronts
break in
break-in
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Break in.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/break%20in. Accessed 11 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of break in for Spanish Speakers

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