1
as in ranks
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 decomposes
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 analyzes
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 dies
to stop functioning
the computer finally broke down and had to be replaced
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in melts 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 takes down
to take apart
the crew was breaking down the party tent when we arrived
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in shatters
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 breaks down
However, this predictable behavior breaks down during ultra-high-speed deformation that occurs in mere fractions of a microsecond.
—
Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 16 Feb. 2026
Selman also shares how the episode pays tribute to the show's legacy and breaks down the Easter eggs throughout the ep.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Feb. 2026
The interactive dashboard breaks down how many individuals are being served by initiatives like safe parking lots and the Regional Homeless Assistance Program, which helps residents rent local motel rooms.
—Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Feb. 2026
The Daily Money breaks down complex consumer and financial news.
—Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 9 Feb. 2026
However, grapefruit might raise these anti-infective drug levels by blocking the CYP3A4 liver protein that breaks down these medications.
—Ross Phan, Verywell Health, 9 Feb. 2026
During ketosis, the body breaks down fat into ketones and uses them for fuel.
—Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, Health, 12 Jan. 2026
Its gentle formula expertly breaks down makeup without leaving my skin feeling dry and tight.
—Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 8 Nov. 2025
Plus, Rick Klein breaks down the races from New York City to Virginia to California.
—ABC News, 2 Nov. 2025
Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 16 Feb. 2026
Selman also shares how the episode pays tribute to the show's legacy and breaks down the Easter eggs throughout the ep.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Feb. 2026
The interactive dashboard breaks down how many individuals are being served by initiatives like safe parking lots and the Regional Homeless Assistance Program, which helps residents rent local motel rooms.
—Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Feb. 2026
The Daily Money breaks down complex consumer and financial news.
—Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 9 Feb. 2026
However, grapefruit might raise these anti-infective drug levels by blocking the CYP3A4 liver protein that breaks down these medications.
—Ross Phan, Verywell Health, 9 Feb. 2026
During ketosis, the body breaks down fat into ketones and uses them for fuel.
—Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, Health, 12 Jan. 2026
Its gentle formula expertly breaks down makeup without leaving my skin feeling dry and tight.
—Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 8 Nov. 2025
Plus, Rick Klein breaks down the races from New York City to Virginia to California.
—ABC News, 2 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for breaks down
Verb
-
Here's what countries pay their medalists and where the US ranks.—
Phaedra Trethan,
USA Today,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Miso ranks high on my own list of fun ingredients.—
Ashia Aubourg,
Outside,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The research team developed a route-planning system for Astrobee, the ISS’s robotic assistant, that leverages sequential convex programming—a method that decomposes complex trajectory planning into smaller, tractable steps while guaranteeing safety and feasibility.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Dec. 2025
-
Shilajit is a mineral-rich resin that forms over centuries as plant material slowly decomposes under heat and pressure within the rocks of the Himalayan Mountains.—
Lindsay Curtis,
Verywell Health,
27 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The company analyzes diner reviews from the past month and sorts the results into a list.—
Brayden Garcia,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Feb. 2026
-
This article was generated by the Bay Area Home Report Bot, software that analyzes home sales or other data and creates an article based on a template created by humans.—
Bay Area Home Report,
Mercury News,
12 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The young couple ultimately plans to get married, and Heathcliff – haunted by visions of Catherine – dies.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
14 Feb. 2026
-
However, Paxton’s opinion specified that requirement only applies in cases where an inmate dies on jail property, as opposed to, for example, in a hospital while still in custody.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Every wildfire that takes down a transmission line, every flood that swallows a road, every heatwave that makes a solar farm falter all slow the very systems meant to replace fossil fuels.—
Natalie Unterstell,
Time,
6 Nov. 2025
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After the gang successfully takes down Godolkin by embracing supe differences and leaning on their collective power, Polarity ultimately makes the choice to stay behind, charging himself with taking care of the rest of the school’s young supes.—
Abbey White,
HollywoodReporter,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
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After a possible murder shatters shatters the lives of three women in a decades-long friendship, Imperfect Women kicks off into a high-octane thriller that is sure to keep us guessing until its final minute.—
Kathleen Newman-Bremang,
Refinery29,
4 Feb. 2026
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Imperfect Women, created for television by Annie Weisman and based on Araminta Hall’s novel of the same name, examines a crime that shatters the lives of a decades-long friendship of three women.—
Dessi Gomez,
Deadline,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Sturm has an acquaintance who classifies the bumper position as a diamond.—
Fluto Shinzawa,
New York Times,
31 Jan. 2026
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While there are some differences in how HBO and Nielsen collect their viewing data, the most likely explanation lies in how Nielsen classifies the show for its streaming rankings and Heated Rivalry’s release schedule.—
Rick Porter,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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If the American state disintegrates, future postmortems are unlikely to focus much on measles, or on rotavirus vaccination rates.—
Vann R. Newkirk II,
The Atlantic,
9 Feb. 2026
-
The debris – space rocks known as meteoroids – collides with Earth's atmosphere at high speed and disintegrates, creating fiery and colorful streaks in the sky, according to NASA.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
2 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Breaks down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/breaks%20down. Accessed 17 Feb. 2026.
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