1
as in invading
to enter a house or building by force usually with illegal intent
the burglars broke in by smashing a window
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in interrupting
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of breaking in
Dark selvedge blue has a professional and polished edge that simultaneously conjures vintage workwear, breaking in over time.
—
Rosie Jarman, Vogue, 27 Jan. 2026
Frightened by the thought of breaking in your jeans?
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 21 Oct. 2025
Settling Manning down — as well as a host of inexperienced starters on offense that includes breaking in four guys on the O-line — would go a long way toward Texas looking like the team that came into this season with such lofty expectations.
—Bruce Feldman, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
Many locals already have tight circles, and breaking in takes patience and persistence.
—Cepee Tabibian, CNBC, 28 Sep. 2025
The Italian was the first to shake up the scoreboard, breaking in the fifth and then holding serve for a 4-2 lead.
—Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 21 Sep. 2025
Pushing and carrying and pulling heavy weights taught me to get comfortable with breaking in order to become stronger, more resilient.
—Literary Hub, 15 Sep. 2025
At left guard and left tackle, the offense is breaking in a second-year player who’s a former tackle and a rookie in San Diego’s Josh Simmons, who last played a regular-season game in October.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Sep. 2025
And also, at the exact same moment, your heart is breaking in half because one day, lots of days, actually, your child is going to go out and enjoy that absolutely beautiful, mind-blowing, magical world.
—Heidi Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2025
Rosie Jarman, Vogue, 27 Jan. 2026
Frightened by the thought of breaking in your jeans?
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 21 Oct. 2025
Settling Manning down — as well as a host of inexperienced starters on offense that includes breaking in four guys on the O-line — would go a long way toward Texas looking like the team that came into this season with such lofty expectations.
—Bruce Feldman, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
Many locals already have tight circles, and breaking in takes patience and persistence.
—Cepee Tabibian, CNBC, 28 Sep. 2025
The Italian was the first to shake up the scoreboard, breaking in the fifth and then holding serve for a 4-2 lead.
—Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 21 Sep. 2025
Pushing and carrying and pulling heavy weights taught me to get comfortable with breaking in order to become stronger, more resilient.
—Literary Hub, 15 Sep. 2025
At left guard and left tackle, the offense is breaking in a second-year player who’s a former tackle and a rookie in San Diego’s Josh Simmons, who last played a regular-season game in October.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Sep. 2025
And also, at the exact same moment, your heart is breaking in half because one day, lots of days, actually, your child is going to go out and enjoy that absolutely beautiful, mind-blowing, magical world.
—Heidi Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for breaking in
Verb
-
In ancient China, Fa Mulan (Ming-Na Wen) takes her ailing father’s place as a conscript by disguising herself as a man to help repel the invading Huns.—
David Faris,
TheWeek,
27 Jan. 2026
-
With the circus invading New Orleans, there were more stories than the 26 Tribune reporters on site could wish for, Tribune reporter Don Pierson remembered.—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
This improves inspection consistency and enables early identification of deviations without interrupting ongoing operations.—
Sabbir Rangwala,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Frigid air descending on Minnesota is already interrupting some Midwestern travel plans.—
Mars King,
Twin Cities,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Sure, some out there were robbing old people, choking people, robbing them, beating them up, taking their money, but Troy just wasn’t like that.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Jan. 2026
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Exploring the lives of a boxer, a diner-robbing couple, a gangster's wife, and a pair of chatty hitmen, Pulp Fiction plays by its own rules in exploring how each of their messy lives intersects.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Dip the bottom of each cutting in rooting hormone and shake off any excess rooting powder or gel.—
Lauren Landers,
The Spruce,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Rogers brought the conversation back to Crockett later in the episode, cutting in to clarify his earlier remarks.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
10 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Breaking in.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/breaking%20in. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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