1
as in classified
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 decomposed
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 analyzed
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 died
to stop functioning
the computer finally broke down and had to be replaced
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in melted 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 knocked down
to take apart
the crew was breaking down the party tent when we arrived
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in shattered
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 broke down
Even more impressively, another compound broke down fully at just 30°C, showing the method can work under milder conditions.
—
Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 29 Mar. 2026
When one chopper broke down, another would be dismantled for parts to fix it.
—Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 27 Mar. 2026
With all eyes set on March 10, 2026 for Score's new book, Désir's team broke down how much time the manufacturers would need to print each special edition.
—Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 22 Mar. 2026
The singer then broke down in hysterical laughter, falling onto the table in front of her and shoving her microphone away.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Mar. 2026
Steelers coach Mike McCarthy and Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson broke down each of those fundamentals, passing concepts, game situations and more during a formal meeting at the NFL Scouting Combine this week.
—Mike Defabo, New York Times, 28 Feb. 2026
The biathlete bronze medallist who broke down in tears and admitted to cheating on his (now ex-)girlfriend, in a gonzo bid to get her back?
—Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 22 Feb. 2026
Here’s how the top 10 broke down — and what put each state on the list.
—Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 7 Feb. 2026
Then applicants came swarming in before catalogs were ready, and adding to the mid-summer madness, Mid-Florida Tech’s presses broke down, delaying catalog printing another week.
—Roger Simmons, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 Jan. 2026
Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 29 Mar. 2026
When one chopper broke down, another would be dismantled for parts to fix it.
—Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 27 Mar. 2026
With all eyes set on March 10, 2026 for Score's new book, Désir's team broke down how much time the manufacturers would need to print each special edition.
—Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 22 Mar. 2026
The singer then broke down in hysterical laughter, falling onto the table in front of her and shoving her microphone away.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Mar. 2026
Steelers coach Mike McCarthy and Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson broke down each of those fundamentals, passing concepts, game situations and more during a formal meeting at the NFL Scouting Combine this week.
—Mike Defabo, New York Times, 28 Feb. 2026
The biathlete bronze medallist who broke down in tears and admitted to cheating on his (now ex-)girlfriend, in a gonzo bid to get her back?
—Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 22 Feb. 2026
Here’s how the top 10 broke down — and what put each state on the list.
—Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 7 Feb. 2026
Then applicants came swarming in before catalogs were ready, and adding to the mid-summer madness, Mid-Florida Tech’s presses broke down, delaying catalog printing another week.
—Roger Simmons, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for broke down
Verb
-
Addiction itself was not officially classified as a disease until 1987.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 Apr. 2026
-
River Bend is classified as a village — instead of a city or other municipality — under Missouri law due to its small population size.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The detail was that Rivas’ body was not only badly decomposed when it was found – it had been dismembered and separated into two bags before being placed in the trunk of the Tesla.—
Allison Gordon,
CNN Money,
12 Mar. 2026
-
In both cases, the remains were decomposed, and appeared that they may have been moved around multiple locations before being discovered, authorities said.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The samples were analyzed at a World Anti-Doping Agency accredited lab in Rome and will be stored at a facility for up to 10 years, per The Athletic.—
Anna Lazarus Caplan,
PEOPLE,
3 Apr. 2026
-
The samples were analyzed and Federline was allegedly identified as one of the likely contributors, the warrant affidavit said.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The diagnosis was announced Thursday by Coroner Ian Telford, who is conducting a preliminary hearing into the death of Shane Christie who died in August aged 39.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The 15-year-old was taken to a local hospital and died less than an hour later, according to police.—
Harriet Ramos,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
So there was plenty to like about the Royals’ third straight victory after an 0-2 start … even after the bullpen melted down an 11-run lead to four in the final innings.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Instead, glass is melted down into lower-value products like bottles or insulation, or even used as filler in construction.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Evans started the final round 0 for 3, then knocked down 18 of the final 22 shots from beyond the arc.—
Gary Bedore,
Kansas City Star,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Kempe knocked down Nicolas Hague’s feeble clearing attempt, which was picked off by Artemi Panarin.—
Andrew Knoll,
Daily News,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
But the events of late 1957 shattered that perception and focused the attention of American politicians and military officials more sharply on the final frontier.—
Mike Wall,
Space.com,
4 Apr. 2026
-
And not just broken, but shattered.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Site Selection Magazine just ranked Illinois as the best state in the Midwest, and third nationally, for workforce development because of critical investments in higher education, apprenticeships and skill development.—
Mark Denzler,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Here are all nine official version of the ultimate Raging Bull ranked.—
Bryan Hood,
Robb Report,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Broke down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/broke%20down. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.
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