1
as in invades
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 interrupts
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 breaks in
The release of surveillance footage Tuesday and the subsequent detention marked the first major breaks in the investigation, which has spanned 10 days.
—
Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2026
Split up focus time into 5-minute increments with breaks in between and longer tasks into small chunks.
—Liz Regalia, Parents, 31 Jan. 2026
As of January 29, there have been 74 water main breaks in Milwaukee this year.
—Everett Eaton, jsonline.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Gary Brown, Director of the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department, says there are roughly 51 water main breaks in the city, and nine have been isolated and are being repaired.
—Gino Vicci, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026
Out of that organization came the popular Sundance Film Festival, an event held annually in Park City, Utah, that gave filmmakers Quentin Tarantino, Steven Soderbergh, Kevin Smith, Darren Aronofsky, Paul Thomas Anderson and many others their first big breaks in the movie industry.
—Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 20 Jan. 2026
Initially, Parsons and Rockwell had offered to let Osubor — who has been working on Rockwell’s projects — take breaks in their home as needed, given his plumbing problems.
—Juliet Pennington, PEOPLE, 12 Jan. 2026
Even hobby ranches can qualify for property tax breaks in many areas; ranching business expenses can be deducted from federal taxes; and private property associated with grazing permits is a stable long-term investment.
—Mark Olalde, ProPublica, 12 Jan. 2026
For a less-intense option, take breaks in between your jumps, don’t jump as high, or do fewer than 50 jumps.
—Danielle Zickl, Outside, 11 Jan. 2026
Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2026
Split up focus time into 5-minute increments with breaks in between and longer tasks into small chunks.
—Liz Regalia, Parents, 31 Jan. 2026
As of January 29, there have been 74 water main breaks in Milwaukee this year.
—Everett Eaton, jsonline.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Gary Brown, Director of the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department, says there are roughly 51 water main breaks in the city, and nine have been isolated and are being repaired.
—Gino Vicci, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026
Out of that organization came the popular Sundance Film Festival, an event held annually in Park City, Utah, that gave filmmakers Quentin Tarantino, Steven Soderbergh, Kevin Smith, Darren Aronofsky, Paul Thomas Anderson and many others their first big breaks in the movie industry.
—Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 20 Jan. 2026
Initially, Parsons and Rockwell had offered to let Osubor — who has been working on Rockwell’s projects — take breaks in their home as needed, given his plumbing problems.
—Juliet Pennington, PEOPLE, 12 Jan. 2026
Even hobby ranches can qualify for property tax breaks in many areas; ranching business expenses can be deducted from federal taxes; and private property associated with grazing permits is a stable long-term investment.
—Mark Olalde, ProPublica, 12 Jan. 2026
For a less-intense option, take breaks in between your jumps, don’t jump as high, or do fewer than 50 jumps.
—Danielle Zickl, Outside, 11 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for breaks in
Verb
-
In the midst of a brutally cold winter, an unwelcome armed force invades a peaceful community, bringing panic, turmoil and brutal violence.—
Erik Pedersen,
Oc Register,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Moisture invades your porch cushions and flooring, leading to the growth of mold, mildew, and algae.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
4 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The partygoers don’t really know how to react until Stab interrupts the performance to choke Kid out, and then everyone becomes horrified.—
Alphonse Pierre,
Pitchfork,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Deflecting care interrupts this learning process.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Critics claim that when students receive scholarships or state aid to attend private schools, this influx of money robs public schools.—
Paul Vallas,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Feb. 2026
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Allowing a thick layer of matted leaves to cover the grass all winter robs the lawn of proper air circulation and is an open invitation to fungal diseases.—
David Beaulieu,
The Spruce,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Breaks in.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/breaks%20in. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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