English

Detailed Synonyms for break in English

break:

to break verb (breaks, broke, breaking)

  1. to break
    to break; to fracture; to break to pieces; refract; to smash
    • break verb (breaks, broke, breaking)
    • fracture verb (fractures, fractured, fracturing)
    • break to pieces verb (breaks to pieces, broke to pieces, breaking to pieces)
    • refract verb
    • smash verb (smashs, smashed, smashing)
  2. to break
    to break
    • break verb (breaks, broke, breaking)
  3. to break
    to destroy; to break; to wreck; to break into pieces
    • destroy verb (destroies, destroyed, destroying)
    • break verb (breaks, broke, breaking)
    • wreck verb (wrecks, wrecked, wrecking)
    • break into pieces verb (breaks into pieces, broke into pieces, breaking into pieces)
  4. to break
    to break; to break into pieces; to smash; to smash into pieces
    • break verb (breaks, broke, breaking)
    • break into pieces verb (breaks into pieces, broke into pieces, breaking into pieces)
    • smash verb (smashs, smashed, smashing)
    • smash into pieces verb (smashs into pieces, smashed into pieces, smashing into pieces)
  5. to break
    to break; intentionally destroy
  6. to break
    to shatter; to break; to smash to pieces; to smash; to smash up; to knock to pieces
    • shatter verb (shatters, shattered, shattering)
    • break verb (breaks, broke, breaking)
    • smash to pieces verb (smashs to pieces, smashed to pieces, smashing to pieces)
    • smash verb (smashs, smashed, smashing)
    • smash up verb (smashs up, smashed up, smashing up)
    • knock to pieces verb (knocks to pieces, knocked to pieces, knocking to pieces)
  7. to break
    to become defective; to break; to fall to pieces
  8. to break
    to throw in; to shatter; to break
    • throw in verb (throws in, threw in, throwing in)
    • shatter verb (shatters, shattered, shattering)
    • break verb (breaks, broke, breaking)
  9. to break
    to crack; to snap; to break
    • crack verb (cracks, cracked, cracking)
    • snap verb (snaps, snapped, snapping)
    • break verb (breaks, broke, breaking)
  10. to break
    to dawn; to break
    • dawn verb (dawns, dawned, dawning)
    • break verb (breaks, broke, breaking)
  11. to break
    to infringe; to break; to violate; to transgress; to misbehave
    • infringe verb (infringes, infringed, infringing)
    • break verb (breaks, broke, breaking)
    • violate verb (violates, violated, violating)
    • transgress verb (transgresses, transgressed, transgressing)
    • misbehave verb (misbehaves, misbehaved, misbehaving)
  12. to break
    – weaken or destroy in spirit or body 1
    to break
    – weaken or destroy in spirit or body 1
    • break verb (breaks, broke, breaking)
      • His resistance was broken1
      • a man broken by the terrible experience of near-death1
  13. to break
    – diminish or discontinue abruptly 1
    to break
    – diminish or discontinue abruptly 1
    • break verb (breaks, broke, breaking)
      • The patient's fever broke last night1
  14. to break
    – fracture a bone of 1
    to break; to fracture
    – fracture a bone of 1
    • break verb (breaks, broke, breaking)
      • I broke my foot while playing hockey1
    • fracture verb (fractures, fractured, fracturing)
  15. to break
    – fall sharply 1
    to break
    – fall sharply 1
    • break verb (breaks, broke, breaking)
      • stock prices broke1
  16. to break
    – make submissive, obedient, or useful 1
    to break; to break in
    – make submissive, obedient, or useful 1
    • break verb (breaks, broke, breaking)
      • The horse was tough to break1
      • I broke in the new intern1
    • break in verb (breaks in, broke in, breaking in)
  17. to break
    – be broken in 1
    to break
    – be broken in 1
    • break verb (breaks, broke, breaking)
      • If the new teacher won't break, we'll add some stress1
  18. to break
    – crack; of the male voice in puberty 1
    to break
    – crack; of the male voice in puberty 1
    • break verb (breaks, broke, breaking)
      • his voice is breaking--he should no longer sing in the choir1
  19. to break
    – render inoperable or ineffective 1
    to break
    – render inoperable or ineffective 1
    • break verb (breaks, broke, breaking)
      • You broke the alarm clock when you took it apart!1
  20. to break
    – become separated into pieces or fragments 1
    to separate; to break; to split up; to fall apart; come apart
    – become separated into pieces or fragments 1
    • separate verb (separates, separated, separating)
    • break verb (breaks, broke, breaking)
      • The figurine broke1
    • split up verb (splits up, split up, splitting up)
    • fall apart verb (falls apart, fell apart, falling apart)
    • come apart verb
  21. to break
    – destroy the integrity of; usually by force; cause to separate into pieces or fragments 1
    to break
    – destroy the integrity of; usually by force; cause to separate into pieces or fragments 1
    • break verb (breaks, broke, breaking)
      • He broke the glass plate1
      • She broke the match1
  22. to break
    – become fractured; break or crack on the surface only 1
    to check; to break; to crack
    – become fractured; break or crack on the surface only 1
    • check verb (checks, checked, checking)
    • break verb (breaks, broke, breaking)
    • crack verb (cracks, cracked, cracking)
      • The glass cracked when it was heated1
  23. to break
    – happen 1
    to develop; to break; recrudesce
    – happen 1
    • develop verb (develops, developped, developping)
      • Report the news as it develops1
    • break verb (breaks, broke, breaking)
    • recrudesce verb
      • These political movements recrudesce from time to time1
  24. to break
    – prevent completion 1
    to break; to stop; to break off; discontinue
    – prevent completion 1
    • break verb (breaks, broke, breaking)
    • stop verb (stops, stopped, stopping)
      • stop the project1
    • break off verb (breaks off, broke off, breaking off)
      • break off the negotiations1
  25. to break
    – terminate 1
    to break; to interrupt
    – terminate 1
    • break verb (breaks, broke, breaking)
      • break a lucky streak1
      • break the cycle of poverty1
    • interrupt verb (interrupts, interrupted, interrupting)
      • She interrupted her pregnancy1
  26. to break
    – lessen in force or effect 1
    to break; to damp; dampen; to weaken; to soften
    – lessen in force or effect 1
    • break verb (breaks, broke, breaking)
      • break a fall1
    • damp verb (damps, damped, damping)
    • dampen verb
    • weaken verb (weakens, weakened, weakening)
    • soften verb (softens, softened, softening)
      • soften a shock1
  27. to break
    – stop operating or functioning 1
    to go; to die; to fail; to break; to break down; to give way; to give out; go bad; to conk out
    – stop operating or functioning 1
    • go verb (goes, went, going)
      • The engine finally went1
      • her eyesight went after the accident1
    • die verb (dies, died, dying)
      • The car died on the road1
    • fail verb (fails, failed, failing)
      • The engine failed on the way to town1
    • break verb (breaks, broke, breaking)
      • The bus we travelled in broke down on the way to town1
      • The coffee maker broke1
    • break down verb (breaks down, broke down, breaking down)
    • give way verb (gives way, gave way, giving way)
    • give out verb (gives out, gave out, giving out)
    • go bad verb
    • conk out verb (conks out, conked out, conking out)
  28. to break
    – change suddenly from one tone quality or register to another 1
    to break
    – change suddenly from one tone quality or register to another 1
    • break verb (breaks, broke, breaking)
      • Her voice broke to a whisper when she started to talk about her children1
  29. to break
    – come into being 1
    to break
    – come into being 1
    • break verb (breaks, broke, breaking)
      • light broke over the horizon1
      • Voices broke in the air1
  30. to break
    – find the solution or key to 1
    to break
    – find the solution or key to 1
    • break verb (breaks, broke, breaking)
      • break the code1
  31. to break
    – find a flaw in 1
    to break
    – find a flaw in 1
    • break verb (breaks, broke, breaking)
      • break an alibi1
      • break down a proof1
  32. to break
    – undergo breaking 1
    to break
    – undergo breaking 1
    • break verb (breaks, broke, breaking)
      • The simple vowels broke in many Germanic languages1
  33. to break
    – interrupt the flow of current in 1
    to break
    – interrupt the flow of current in 1
    • break verb (breaks, broke, breaking)
      • break a circuit1
  34. to break
    – cease an action temporarily 1
    to break; to pause; intermit
    – cease an action temporarily 1
    • break verb (breaks, broke, breaking)
      • let's break for lunch1
    • pause verb (pauses, paused, pausing)
      • We pause for station identification1
    • intermit verb
  35. to break
    – be released or become known; of news 1
    to break; to get out; get around
    – be released or become known; of news 1
    • break verb (breaks, broke, breaking)
      • News of her death broke in the morning1
    • get out verb (gets out, got out, getting out)
    • get around verb
  36. to break
    – surpass in excellence 1
    to break; to better
    – surpass in excellence 1
    • break verb (breaks, broke, breaking)
      • break a record1
    • better verb (betters, bettered, bettering)
      • She bettered her own record1
  37. to break
    – pierce or penetrate 1
    to break
    – pierce or penetrate 1
    • break verb (breaks, broke, breaking)
      • The blade broke her skin1
  38. to break
    – become punctured or penetrated 1
    to break
    – become punctured or penetrated 1
    • break verb (breaks, broke, breaking)
      • The skin broke1
  39. to break
    – break a piece from a whole 1
    to break; to break off; snap off
    – break a piece from a whole 1
    • break verb (breaks, broke, breaking)
      • break a branch from a tree1
    • break off verb (breaks off, broke off, breaking off)
    • snap off verb
  40. to break
    – go to pieces 1
    to wear; to break; bust; to wear out; to fall apart
    – go to pieces 1
    • wear verb (wears, wore, wearing)
      • The gears wore out1
    • break verb (breaks, broke, breaking)
      • The lawn mower finally broke1
    • bust verb
    • wear out verb (wears out, wore out, wearing out)
    • fall apart verb (falls apart, fell apart, falling apart)
  41. to break
    – ruin completely 1
    to break; bust
    – ruin completely 1
    • break verb (breaks, broke, breaking)
    • bust verb
      • He busted my radio!1
  42. to break
    – separate from a clinch, in boxing 1
    to break
    – separate from a clinch, in boxing 1
    • break verb (breaks, broke, breaking)
      • The referee broke the boxers1
  43. to break
    – make the opening shot that scatters the balls 1
    to break
    – make the opening shot that scatters the balls 1
    • break verb (breaks, broke, breaking)
  44. to break
    – destroy the completeness of a set of related items 1
    to break; to break up
    – destroy the completeness of a set of related items 1
    • break verb (breaks, broke, breaking)
      • The book dealer would not break the set1
    • break up verb (breaks up, broke up, breaking up)
  45. to break
    – exchange for smaller units of money 1
    to break
    – exchange for smaller units of money 1
    • break verb (breaks, broke, breaking)
      • I had to break a $100 bill just to buy the candy1
  46. to break
    – force out or release suddenly and often violently something pent up 1
    to break; to burst; erupt
    – force out or release suddenly and often violently something pent up 1
    • break verb (breaks, broke, breaking)
      • break into tears1
    • burst verb (bursts, bursted, bursting)
    • erupt verb
      • erupt in anger1
  47. to break
    – do a break dance 1
    to break; break dance; break-dance
    – do a break dance 1
  48. to break
    – curl over and fall apart in surf or foam, of waves 1
    to break
    – curl over and fall apart in surf or foam, of waves 1
    • break verb (breaks, broke, breaking)
      • The surf broke1
  49. to break
    – break down, literally or metaphorically 1
    to collapse; to give; to break; to founder; to give way; to cave in; to fall in
    – break down, literally or metaphorically 1
    • collapse verb (collapses, collapsed, collapsing)
      • The wall collapsed1
      • The business collapsed1
      • The roof collapsed1
    • give verb (gives, gave, giving)
      • The wall gave in1
      • The roof finally gave under the weight of the ice1
    • break verb (breaks, broke, breaking)
      • The dam broke1
    • founder verb (founders, foundered, foundering)
    • give way verb (gives way, gave way, giving way)
    • cave in verb (caves in, caved in, caving in)
    • fall in verb (falls in, fell in, falling in)
  50. to break
    – emerge from the surface of a body of water 1
    to break
    – emerge from the surface of a body of water 1
    • break verb (breaks, broke, breaking)
      • The whales broke1
  51. to break
    – scatter or part 1
    to break
    – scatter or part 1
    • break verb (breaks, broke, breaking)
      • The clouds broke after the heavy downpour1
  52. to break
    – make a rupture in the ranks of the enemy or one's own by quitting or fleeing 1
    to break
    – make a rupture in the ranks of the enemy or one's own by quitting or fleeing 1
    • break verb (breaks, broke, breaking)
      • The ranks broke1
  53. to break
    – move away or escape suddenly 1
    to break; to break away; to break out
    – move away or escape suddenly 1
    • break verb (breaks, broke, breaking)
      • The horses broke from the stable1
      • Three inmates broke jail1
    • break away verb (breaks away, broke away, breaking away)
    • break out verb (breaks out, broke out, breaking out)
      • Nobody can break out--this prison is high security1
  54. to break
    – change directions suddenly 1
    to break
    – change directions suddenly 1
    • break verb (breaks, broke, breaking)
  55. to break
    – reduce to bankruptcy 1
    to break; to ruin; bankrupt; to smash
    – reduce to bankruptcy 1
    • break verb (breaks, broke, breaking)
      • My daughter's fancy wedding is going to break me!1
    • ruin verb (ruins, ruined, ruining)
    • bankrupt verb
    • smash verb (smashs, smashed, smashing)
      • The slump in the financial markets smashed him1
  56. to break
    – assign to a lower position; reduce in rank 1
    to break; to bump; relegate; demote; kick downstairs
    – assign to a lower position; reduce in rank 1
    • break verb (breaks, broke, breaking)
      • He was broken down to Sergeant1
    • bump verb (bumps, bumped, bumping)
    • relegate verb
    • demote verb
      • She was demoted because she always speaks up1
  57. to break
    – discontinue an association or relation; go different ways 1
    to separate; to part; to break; to split; to break up; to split up
    – discontinue an association or relation; go different ways 1
    • separate verb (separates, separated, separating)
      • The couple separated after 25 years of marriage1
    • part verb (parts, parted, parting)
      • The business partners broke over a tax question1
    • break verb (breaks, broke, breaking)
      • The business partners broke over a tax question1
    • split verb (splits, split, splitting)
    • break up verb (breaks up, broke up, breaking up)
    • split up verb (splits up, split up, splitting up)
      • My friend and I split up1
  58. to break
    – invalidate by judicial action 1
    to break
    – invalidate by judicial action 1
    • break verb (breaks, broke, breaking)
      • The will was broken1
  59. to break
    – interrupt a continued activity 1
    to break; to break away
    – interrupt a continued activity 1
    • break verb (breaks, broke, breaking)
      • She had broken with the traditional patterns1
    • break away verb (breaks away, broke away, breaking away)
  60. to break
    – cause the failure or ruin of 1
    to break
    – cause the failure or ruin of 1
    • break verb (breaks, broke, breaking)
      • His peccadilloes finally broke his marriage1
      • This play will either make or break the playwright1
  61. to break
    – act in disregard of laws, rules, contracts, or promises 1
    to breach; to break; to offend; to violate; to transgress; go against; infract
    – act in disregard of laws, rules, contracts, or promises 1
    • breach verb (breaches, breached, breaching)
    • break verb (breaks, broke, breaking)
      • break a law1
      • break a promise1
    • offend verb (offends, offended, offending)
      • offend all laws of humanity1
    • violate verb (violates, violated, violating)
      • violate the basic laws or human civilization1
    • transgress verb (transgresses, transgressed, transgressing)
    • go against verb
    • infract verb
  62. to break
    – enter someone's (virtual or real) property in an unauthorized manner, usually with the intent to steal or commit a violent act 1
    to break; to break in
    – enter someone's (virtual or real) property in an unauthorized manner, usually with the intent to steal or commit a violent act 1
    • break verb (breaks, broke, breaking)
      • Someone broke in while I was on vacation1
      • They broke into my car and stole my radio!1
      • who broke into my account last night?1
    • break in verb (breaks in, broke in, breaking in)
  63. to break
    – happen or take place 1
    to break
    – happen or take place 1
    • break verb (breaks, broke, breaking)
      • Things have been breaking pretty well for us in the past few months1
  64. to break
    – come forth or begin from a state of latency 1
    to break
    – come forth or begin from a state of latency 1
    • break verb (breaks, broke, breaking)
      • The first winter storm broke over New York1
  65. to break
    – fail to agree with; be in violation of; as of rules or patterns 1
    to break; to violate; go against
    – fail to agree with; be in violation of; as of rules or patterns 1
    • break verb (breaks, broke, breaking)
    • violate verb (violates, violated, violating)
      • This sentence violates the rules of syntax1
    • go against verb
  66. to break
    – give up 1
    to break
    – give up 1
    • break verb (breaks, broke, breaking)
      • break cigarette smoking1
  67. to break
    – cause to give up a habit 1
    to break
    – cause to give up a habit 1
    • break verb (breaks, broke, breaking)
      • She finally broke herself of smoking cigarettes1
  68. to break
    – vary or interrupt a uniformity or continuity 1
    to break
    – vary or interrupt a uniformity or continuity 1
    • break verb (breaks, broke, breaking)
      • The flat plain was broken by tall mesas1
  69. to break
    – come to an end 1
    to break
    – come to an end 1
    • break verb (breaks, broke, breaking)
      • The heat wave finally broke yesterday1

Conjugations for break:

present
  1. break
  2. break
  3. breaks
  4. break
  5. break
  6. break
simple past
  1. broke
  2. broke
  3. broke
  4. broke
  5. broke
  6. broke
present perfect
  1. have broken
  2. have broken
  3. has broken
  4. have broken
  5. have broken
  6. have broken
past continuous
  1. was breaking
  2. were breaking
  3. was breaking
  4. were breaking
  5. were breaking
  6. were breaking
future
  1. shall break
  2. will break
  3. will break
  4. shall break
  5. will break
  6. will break
continuous present
  1. am breaking
  2. are breaking
  3. is breaking
  4. are breaking
  5. are breaking
  6. are breaking
subjunctive
  1. be broken
  2. be broken
  3. be broken
  4. be broken
  5. be broken
  6. be broken
diverse
  1. break!
  2. let's break!
  3. broken
  4. breaking
1. I, 2. you, 3. he/she/it, 4. we, 5. you, 6. they

break [the ~] noun

  1. the break
    the break; the intermission; the pause; the interval
  2. the break
    the fracture; the break
  3. the break
    the recess; the rest-break; the pause; the break
  4. the break
    the rest-break; the intermission; the break; the interval
  5. the break
    the breakout; the escaping; the break; the escape; the getting away; the jailbreak
    the flight
    – the act of escaping physically 1
    • flight [the ~] noun
      • his flight was an indication of his guilt1
  6. the break
    the break; the playtime; the interval
  7. the break
    – a pause from doing something (as work) 1
    the lunch break; the lunch time; the lunch hour
    the break
    – a pause from doing something (as work) 1
    • break [the ~] noun
      • we took a 10-minute break1
    the lunch
    – a midday meal 1
  8. the break
    – a pause from doing something (as work) 1
    the break; the recess; the respite; the time out
    – a pause from doing something (as work) 1
    • break [the ~] noun
      • we took a 10-minute break1
    • recess [the ~] noun
    • respite [the ~] noun
    • time out [the ~] noun
      • he took time out to recuperate1
  9. the break
    – an escape from jail 1
    the break; the breakout; the jailbreak; the prison-breaking; the prisonbreak; the gaolbreak
    – an escape from jail 1
  10. the break
    – any frame in which a bowler fails to make a strike or spare 1
    the break; the open frame
    – any frame in which a bowler fails to make a strike or spare 1
    • break [the ~] noun
      • the break in the eighth frame cost him the match1
    • open frame [the ~] noun
  11. the break
    – a sudden dash 1
    the break
    – a sudden dash 1
    • break [the ~] noun
      • he made a break for the open door1
  12. the break
    – the act of breaking something 1
    the break; the breaking; the breakage
    – the act of breaking something 1
  13. the break
    – an act of delaying or interrupting the continuity 1
    the gap; the break; the interruption; the disruption
    – an act of delaying or interrupting the continuity 1
    • gap [the ~] noun
      • there was a gap in his account1
    • break [the ~] noun
      • it was presented without commercial breaks1
    • interruption [the ~] noun
    • disruption [the ~] noun
  14. the break
    – (tennis) a score consisting of winning a game when your opponent was serving 1
    the break; the break of serve
    – (tennis) a score consisting of winning a game when your opponent was serving 1
  15. the break
    – the opening shot that scatters the balls in billiards or pool 1
    the break
    – the opening shot that scatters the balls in billiards or pool 1
  16. the break
    – an abrupt change in the tone or register of the voice (as at puberty or due to emotion) 1
    the break
    – an abrupt change in the tone or register of the voice (as at puberty or due to emotion) 1
    • break [the ~] noun
      • then there was a break in her voice1
  17. the break
    – a personal or social separation (as between opposing factions) 1
    the breach; the break; the rupture; the severance; the rift; the falling out
    – a personal or social separation (as between opposing factions) 1
  18. the break
    – an unexpected piece of good luck 1
    the break; the good luck; the happy chance
    – an unexpected piece of good luck 1
  19. the break
    – the occurrence of breaking 1
    the break
    – the occurrence of breaking 1
    • break [the ~] noun
      • the break in the dam threatened the valley1
  20. the break
    – some abrupt occurrence that interrupts an ongoing activity 1
    the break; the interruption
    – some abrupt occurrence that interrupts an ongoing activity 1
    • break [the ~] noun
      • there was a break in the action when a player was hurt1
    • interruption [the ~] noun
      • the telephone is an annoying interruption1
  21. the break
    – (geology) a crack in the earth's crust resulting from the displacement of one side with respect to the other 1
    the shift; the break; the fault; the fracture; the faulting; the geological fault
    – (geology) a crack in the earth's crust resulting from the displacement of one side with respect to the other 1
  22. the break
    – breaking of hard tissue such as bone 1
    the break; the fracture
    – breaking of hard tissue such as bone 1
    • break [the ~] noun
      • the break seems to have been caused by a fall1
    • fracture [the ~] noun
      • it was a nasty fracture1
  23. the break
    – a time interval during which there is a temporary cessation of something 1
    the break; the suspension; the interruption; the pause; the intermission
    – a time interval during which there is a temporary cessation of something 1
  24. the break
    – A short period of time in a resource's schedule where the resource is not available for work. 2
    the break
    – A short period of time in a resource's schedule where the resource is not available for work. 2

Related Words for "break":


Alternate Synonyms for "break":


Antonyms for "break":


Related Definitions for "break":

  1. an escape from jail1
  2. any frame in which a bowler fails to make a strike or spare1
    • the break in the eighth frame cost him the match1
  3. a sudden dash1
    • he made a break for the open door1
  4. the act of breaking something1
  5. an act of delaying or interrupting the continuity1
    • it was presented without commercial breaks1
  6. (tennis) a score consisting of winning a game when your opponent was serving1
    • he was up two breaks in the second set1
  7. the opening shot that scatters the balls in billiards or pool1
  8. a pause from doing something (as work)1
    • we took a 10-minute break1
  9. an abrupt change in the tone or register of the voice (as at puberty or due to emotion)1
    • then there was a break in her voice1
  10. a personal or social separation (as between opposing factions)1
    • they hoped to avoid a break in relations1
  11. an unexpected piece of good luck1
    • he finally got his big break1
  12. the occurrence of breaking1
    • the break in the dam threatened the valley1
  13. some abrupt occurrence that interrupts an ongoing activity1
    • there was a break in the action when a player was hurt1
  14. (geology) a crack in the earth's crust resulting from the displacement of one side with respect to the other1
  15. breaking of hard tissue such as bone1
    • the break seems to have been caused by a fall1
  16. a time interval during which there is a temporary cessation of something1
  17. weaken or destroy in spirit or body1
    • His resistance was broken1
    • a man broken by the terrible experience of near-death1
  18. diminish or discontinue abruptly1
    • The patient's fever broke last night1
  19. fracture a bone of1
    • I broke my foot while playing hockey1
  20. fall sharply1
    • stock prices broke1
  21. make submissive, obedient, or useful1
    • The horse was tough to break1
    • I broke in the new intern1
  22. be broken in1
    • If the new teacher won't break, we'll add some stress1
  23. crack; of the male voice in puberty1
    • his voice is breaking--he should no longer sing in the choir1
  24. render inoperable or ineffective1
    • You broke the alarm clock when you took it apart!1
  25. become separated into pieces or fragments1
    • The figurine broke1
  26. destroy the integrity of; usually by force; cause to separate into pieces or fragments1
    • He broke the glass plate1
    • She broke the match1
  27. become fractured; break or crack on the surface only1
  28. happen1
  29. prevent completion1
  30. terminate1
    • break a lucky streak1
    • break the cycle of poverty1
  31. lessen in force or effect1
    • break a fall1
  32. stop operating or functioning1
    • The bus we travelled in broke down on the way to town1
    • The coffee maker broke1
  33. change suddenly from one tone quality or register to another1
    • Her voice broke to a whisper when she started to talk about her children1
  34. come into being1
    • light broke over the horizon1
    • Voices broke in the air1
  35. find the solution or key to1
    • break the code1
  36. find a flaw in1
    • break an alibi1
    • break down a proof1
  37. undergo breaking1
    • The simple vowels broke in many Germanic languages1
  38. interrupt the flow of current in1
    • break a circuit1
  39. cease an action temporarily1
    • let's break for lunch1
  40. be released or become known; of news1
    • News of her death broke in the morning1
  41. surpass in excellence1
    • break a record1
  42. pierce or penetrate1
    • The blade broke her skin1
  43. become punctured or penetrated1
    • The skin broke1
  44. break a piece from a whole1
    • break a branch from a tree1
  45. go to pieces1
    • The lawn mower finally broke1
  46. ruin completely1
  47. separate from a clinch, in boxing1
    • The referee broke the boxers1
  48. make the opening shot that scatters the balls1
  49. destroy the completeness of a set of related items1
    • The book dealer would not break the set1
  50. exchange for smaller units of money1
    • I had to break a $100 bill just to buy the candy1
  51. force out or release suddenly and often violently something pent up1
    • break into tears1
  52. do a break dance1
    • Kids were break-dancing at the street corner1
  53. curl over and fall apart in surf or foam, of waves1
    • The surf broke1
  54. break down, literally or metaphorically1
    • The dam broke1
  55. emerge from the surface of a body of water1
    • The whales broke1
  56. scatter or part1
    • The clouds broke after the heavy downpour1
  57. make a rupture in the ranks of the enemy or one's own by quitting or fleeing1
    • The ranks broke1
  58. move away or escape suddenly1
    • The horses broke from the stable1
    • Three inmates broke jail1
  59. change directions suddenly1
  60. reduce to bankruptcy1
    • My daughter's fancy wedding is going to break me!1
  61. assign to a lower position; reduce in rank1
    • He was broken down to Sergeant1
  62. discontinue an association or relation; go different ways1
    • The business partners broke over a tax question1
  63. invalidate by judicial action1
    • The will was broken1
  64. interrupt a continued activity1
    • She had broken with the traditional patterns1
  65. cause the failure or ruin of1
    • His peccadilloes finally broke his marriage1
    • This play will either make or break the playwright1
  66. act in disregard of laws, rules, contracts, or promises1
    • break a law1
    • break a promise1
  67. enter someone's (virtual or real) property in an unauthorized manner, usually with the intent to steal or commit a violent act1
    • Someone broke in while I was on vacation1
    • They broke into my car and stole my radio!1
    • who broke into my account last night?1
  68. happen or take place1
    • Things have been breaking pretty well for us in the past few months1
  69. come forth or begin from a state of latency1
    • The first winter storm broke over New York1
  70. fail to agree with; be in violation of; as of rules or patterns1
  71. give up1
    • break cigarette smoking1
  72. cause to give up a habit1
    • She finally broke herself of smoking cigarettes1
  73. vary or interrupt a uniformity or continuity1
    • The flat plain was broken by tall mesas1
  74. come to an end1
    • The heat wave finally broke yesterday1
  75. A short period of time in a resource's schedule where the resource is not available for work.2

Related Synonyms for break