1
as in classifying
to arrange or assign according to type
when presented with the pile of files, the first thing he did was to break them down by month, order within the month, and region
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in decomposing
to go through decomposition
the enamel of a human tooth will begin to break down when exposed to sugar for too long
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in analyzing
to identify and examine the basic elements or parts of (something) especially for discovering interrelationships
if we break the problem down into what appear to be three aspects of it, we'll have a better chance of solving it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in dying
to stop functioning
the computer finally broke down and had to be replaced
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in melting down
to yield to mental or emotional stress
began to break down when he realized that he was on the verge of bankruptcy
Synonyms & Similar Words
6
as in taking down
to take apart
the crew was breaking down the party tent when we arrived
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in shattering
to cause to break with violence and much noise
firefighters had to break down the wall to rescue the kitten
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of breaking down
But in 2025, that script is breaking down.
—
Sarah Hernholm, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
The clear gel feels silky, not goopy, and holds hairs in place without breaking down into flakes.
—Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
About The Daily Money Each weekday, The Daily Money delivers the best consumer and financial news from USA TODAY, breaking down complex events, providing the TLDR version, and explaining how everything from Fed rate changes to bankruptcies impacts you.
—Betty Lin-Fisher, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2025
Endstop triggered This is the web version of Fortune Tech, a daily newsletter breaking down the biggest players and stories shaping the future.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 2 Sep. 2025
Lightning also sparks hydroxyl radicals, which help cleanse the air by breaking down methane and other gases.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2025
Elsewhere among playoff contenders, relievers have been breaking down.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Aug. 2025
Sarah Hernholm, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
The clear gel feels silky, not goopy, and holds hairs in place without breaking down into flakes.
—Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
About The Daily Money Each weekday, The Daily Money delivers the best consumer and financial news from USA TODAY, breaking down complex events, providing the TLDR version, and explaining how everything from Fed rate changes to bankruptcies impacts you.
—Betty Lin-Fisher, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2025
Endstop triggered This is the web version of Fortune Tech, a daily newsletter breaking down the biggest players and stories shaping the future.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 2 Sep. 2025
Lightning also sparks hydroxyl radicals, which help cleanse the air by breaking down methane and other gases.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2025
Elsewhere among playoff contenders, relievers have been breaking down.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for breaking down
Verb
-
Delays in classifying more illnesses hurt people, Tom O'Connor said.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
-
The court forbade companies from classifying workers as independent contractors except in narrow circumstances.—
The Editorial Board,
Oc Register,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
So when a redwood falls and begins decomposing, its massive trunk, branches, and bark break down over many, many years.—
Greg Sullivan,
AFAR Media,
15 Sep. 2025
-
O’Steen bludgeoned Marissa Grimes, dug a shallow grave for her under his house in west Fort Worth and for 10 days lived above where police later sawed open the floor to expose Grimes’ decomposing 135-pound body, prosecutors have argued that the evidence shows.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Lane said experts analyzing the gun could discover fingerprints, DNA or perhaps a serial number that could trace back to the shooter.—
Will Carless,
USA Today,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Investigators are analyzing imprints of a forearm, palm and a shoe of the person of interest.—
Filip Timotija,
The Hill,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Wilson's dying body was pulled inside the home by the family and restrained with his own handcuffs.—
Landon Mion,
FOXNews.com,
17 Sep. 2025
-
As much of a character as any of the humans on the series, pup Eddie — played by Jack Russell terrier Moose — lived a long life, dying in 2006 at age 16.—
Kate Hogan,
PEOPLE,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The secret is melting down pink Himalayan salt to combine it with maple syrup.—
Abby Hamblin,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Some teams look fantastic before melting down within a few weeks (2024 New Orleans Saints) and others can get off to a rough start before blossoming within the first two months (2024 Washington Commanders).—
Mike Kaye
September 10,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The Green Bay Packers had yet another commanding win to begin the new season, taking down the Washington Commanders, 27-18, to start 2-0 on the year.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Mississippi State takes this week's biggest jump after taking down Arizona State.—
Chris Vannini,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The group also recently stepped out together at a University of Cincinnati football game, which just so happened to be Swift and Kelce’s first public outing since announcing their plans to get married with an internet-shattering post on Instagram in August.—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Pamela Warner, mother and manager of the late actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner, reflected on the life-shattering moment her son had untimely passed away.—
Taylor Ardrey,
USA Today,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Here, The Athletic attempts to unravel the Ballon d’Or riddle by ranking the top 10 contenders.—
Conor O'Neill,
New York Times,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Rice made my list twice, ranking #81 in 2023 and #76 in 2024.—
Tony Blengino,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Breaking down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/breaking%20down. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.
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