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
For Winfrey, that professional reassurance came from a decade of hard work following her big break in her thirties. — Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 27 July 2026 Dixon broke down in tears when asked about the 14-year break in the case and the emotional reaction from Chavez's relatives. — Ivan Pereira, ABC News, 22 July 2026
Noun
In February 2025, three men alleged to be part of a South American theft group were indicted in the break-in at Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow’s home. — Mirna Alsharif, NBC news, 19 July 2026 No break-in period required, the exceptionally cushy Clarks Arla Gilson Flip-flops are ready-to-wear straight out of your suitcase. — Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 12 July 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
  • After Putin invaded Ukraine, Western governments grabbed almost two dozen luxury vessels to punish him and his cronies.
    — Giacomo Tognini, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026
  • When Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, for example, several contractors initially outperformed—but, according to a Fisher Investment analysis, much of those gains had already occurred before the invasion.
    — Preston Fore, Fortune, 25 July 2026
Definition of invade
Verb
  • Children interrupting, meals being made, the day being talked over.
    — Belonging Forum, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
  • While baking soda is famously good at deodorizing smelly things, adding salt to compost piles can interrupt the composting process.
    — Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 July 2026
Definition of interrupt
Noun
  • Many of the non-violent crimes tracked in the report also saw declines, including a 13% drop in residential burglaries year over year and a 50% drop in burglaries compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 July 2026
  • Residential burglaries fell 13% from a year earlier and were down about 50% compared with 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic.
    — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 23 July 2026
Definition of burglary
Verb
  • Denton police arrested a man who robbed a bank in the Rayzor Ranch area, and discovered that he was already wanted in a robbery in Arkansas, the department said.
    — Mary Ella Hastings July 24, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 July 2026
  • One of them is planning to rob the house and needs help tracking down the valuables inside.
    — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 24 July 2026
Definition of rob
Verb
  • Campbell said the measure could be an important tool for recouping the $6 million the city cut in this year’s budgeting process, but not if the measure was destined to fail.
    — Kyle Martin, Mercury News, 23 July 2026
  • When an excitable teenager cut in front of my dad, Frankenstein — without saying a word — gestured for the kid to be patient and wait, patted my dad on the back and posed for a picture.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 22 July 2026
Definition of cut in
Noun
  • Police are investigating an armed holdup that occurred at a west Fort Worth title loan business Wednesday morning.
    — Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 July 2026
  • And, as with most engines, a timely tuneup helps ensure smooth and predictable functioning, avoiding hiccups or holdups.
    — The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 15 July 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 31 Jul. 2026.

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