break in 1 of 2

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

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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

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
When there is a break in the conversation, go back to talking about the work. Bruce Tulgan, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025 Consider the break-in time for leather Leather shoes can take anywhere from one week to one month to break in. Hillary Maglin, Travel + Leisure, 17 Apr. 2025
Noun
Each step of the break-in should have alerted security officers at the residence, according to Michael Evanoff, a security consultant and former assistant secretary of state for diplomatic security at the US State Department. Josh Campbell, CNN Money, 15 Apr. 2025 Potentially violent crimes, such as home invasions, break-ins, 'smash and grabs' from vehicles stopped at intersections and from locked cars in shopping mall parking lots, cell phone thefts, and muggings are routinely reported to police. Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for break in
Recent Examples of Synonyms for break in
Verb
  • Read the full Libra Daily Horoscope Scorpio (October 23 - November 21) Space to do your thing has never felt so good—until someone invades it!
    USA TODAY, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025
  • Demand for weapons spiked in Europe after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022 and has persisted.
    Lara Jakes, New York Times, 22 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • It's not supposed to be interrupted by hazardous mold.
    Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Jade Cargill interrupted Naomi and begin arguing with Bianca Belair.
    Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The former Washington State University student was also charged with one felony count of burglary.
    Adam Sabes , Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 25 Apr. 2025
  • The suspects were tied to three separate burglary sprees in Nassau County.
    Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 17 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Los Angeles jewelry store Love Jewels was robbed of around $20 million worth of jewelry during a daring heist on Sunday, April 13.
    Charna Flam, People.com, 16 Apr. 2025
  • The synagogue isn’t a wholly random place for Hampton to be asked to rob.
    Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 15 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • And he’s voted this year for a budget plan that could lead to big cuts in federal school funding.
    David Lightman, Sacbee.com, 18 Apr. 2025
  • The bill sets dosage limits for various product types, and by 2029, those limits would be cut in half.
    Dario Sabaghi, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • However, the holdup on congressional action is a lack of input from the White House, which could also opt to act unilaterally to revise existing outbound investment regulations.
    Owen Tedford, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025
  • The only holdup with this trade is the fact that the Cardinals already have a decent bit of pitching in their farm system.
    Arick Wierson, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Break in.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/break%20in. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.

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