broke 1 of 2

Definition of brokenext

broke

2 of 2

verb

past tense of break
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as in demoted
to bring to a lower grade or rank the captain was broken to lieutenant commander for disobeying a direct order from his group commander

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as in deciphered
to change (as a secret message) from code into ordinary language Alan Turing and the Bletchley Park mathematicians broke the Enigma code being used by the Nazis

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as in plowed
to cut into and turn over the sod of (a piece of land) using a bladed implement farmers once broke fields with horse-drawn plows

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as in died
to stop functioning after working for 30 years, the pump simply broke one day

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as in ruined
to cause to lose one's fortune and become unable to pay one's debts another bad investment could break him

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as in surfaced
to penetrate the surface (as of water) from below dolphins were breaking all around the boat

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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 broke
Adjective
Different campaigns try different things, but different campaigns are broke. Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 5 June 2026 And as for the financial motive that Kouri was broke? Natalie Morales, CBS News, 24 May 2026
Verb
The Sooners scored all four runs that inning with two outs starting when Kyle Branch broke a 3-all tie with a two-run single. ABC News, 20 June 2026 Another bail agent broke the front driver-side window of the suspect's vehicle and tried to shift the vehicle's transmission into park. Hannah McIlree, CBS News, 19 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for broke
Recent Examples of Synonyms for broke
Adjective
  • These conditions can increase your vulnerability to adverse effects from poor air quality.
    Southern California Weather Report, Oc Register, 16 June 2026
  • Equating the Holocaust to Gaza is in extremely poor taste.
    Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 16 June 2026
Verb
  • And of how Iran’s preparation for this World Cup has been disrupted, this is definitely among the more minor.
    Nick Miller, New York Times, 16 June 2026
  • Travelers whose flights are disrupted should keep an eye out for change fee waivers and rebooking options from their airline.
    Zach Wichter, USA Today, 16 June 2026
Verb
  • Both tournaments brought disappointment and his reign as coach ended after being confronted at the team’s hotel in Abidjan by angry supporters.
    Simon Hughes, New York Times, 17 June 2026
  • Fox's paranormal sci-fi series was absolutely beyond its time and still holds up well over a decade after its five-season run ended.
    Jeff Spry, Space.com, 17 June 2026
Verb
  • Kay had to go to Japan to be allowed to do his thing, start and pitch without the threat of being demoted to the minors or released after any bad performance.
    Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 17 June 2026
  • But Schultz was the fifth starter until his injury, and his replacement, David Sandlin, was demoted to Charlotte after three starts.
    Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 17 June 2026
Verb
  • Among the finds are a 4th-century coin bearing the face of Emperor Constantine, as well as medieval pottery fragments bearing markings archaeologists have not yet deciphered.
    Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 19 June 2026
  • What’s more, the back of the painting shows a number code which was deciphered in the project to reveal the year of production—1934.
    Margherita Bassi, Popular Science, 11 June 2026
Verb
  • Komargodski paused our conversation to ask ChatGPT, providing the relevant numbers, and then checked its work.
    Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 15 June 2026
  • With nine seconds remaining on the pitch clock, Jaschinski paused the game as Caballero stood in the batter’s box.
    Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 15 June 2026
Verb
  • The tornado plowed from Hickory Hills to the Midway Airport area and was one of 17 that tore through the region Thursday night, according to the National Weather Service.
    Addison Wright, Chicago Tribune, 15 June 2026
  • Democrat Tom Steyer plowed a record $215 million of his own money in the race to become California’s next governor and came up short.
    Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 10 June 2026
Verb
  • The judge argued that the panel violated the Constitution by effectively removing her from office despite life tenure protections and denied her due process.
    Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 15 June 2026
  • The Big 12 stresses that punishment of a school does not require the conference to determine if a student-athlete violated a rule, only that the athlete’s school is damaging.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 15 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Broke.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/broke. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.

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