1
as in classifying
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 decomposing
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 analyzing
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 dying
to stop functioning
the computer finally broke down and had to be replaced
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in melting 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 taking down
to take apart
the crew was breaking down the party tent when we arrived
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in shattering
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 breaking down
The data breaking down the ways some states have had success in providing access to care could also provide local governments with ideas on how to make strides in a moment where health equity advocates are looking away from the federal government for assistance.
—
Anil Oza, STAT, 29 Apr. 2026
Many online are reacting to this viral video of a bus driver in Taiwan breaking down in tears during a dispute with a passenger.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 29 Apr. 2026
Along the way, Neuhaus started to see a real-time map of where the nonfiction industry was breaking down across distribution, marketing, and social.
—Dana Harris-Bridson, IndieWire, 22 Apr. 2026
Gelatin is created by partially breaking down collagen.
—Amber J. Tresca, Verywell Health, 20 Apr. 2026
Avdija breaking down the defense and completing a bee-line drive while being fouled with 16 seconds left — was vintage Avdija.
—Doug Haller, New York Times, 15 Apr. 2026
While both Riddle and Fritz were largely silent about the rumors on their personal social media channels, the fashion It-girl snuck into the comment section of a recent post breaking down the breakup rumors.
—Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 7 Apr. 2026
However, only a few metals—mainly platinum—can perform efficiently in such environments without breaking down.
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 26 Mar. 2026
The episode then ends with Carolyn breaking down, begging John not to leave.
—Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 25 Mar. 2026
Anil Oza, STAT, 29 Apr. 2026
Many online are reacting to this viral video of a bus driver in Taiwan breaking down in tears during a dispute with a passenger.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 29 Apr. 2026
Along the way, Neuhaus started to see a real-time map of where the nonfiction industry was breaking down across distribution, marketing, and social.
—Dana Harris-Bridson, IndieWire, 22 Apr. 2026
Gelatin is created by partially breaking down collagen.
—Amber J. Tresca, Verywell Health, 20 Apr. 2026
Avdija breaking down the defense and completing a bee-line drive while being fouled with 16 seconds left — was vintage Avdija.
—Doug Haller, New York Times, 15 Apr. 2026
While both Riddle and Fritz were largely silent about the rumors on their personal social media channels, the fashion It-girl snuck into the comment section of a recent post breaking down the breakup rumors.
—Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 7 Apr. 2026
However, only a few metals—mainly platinum—can perform efficiently in such environments without breaking down.
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 26 Mar. 2026
The episode then ends with Carolyn breaking down, begging John not to leave.
—Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 25 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for breaking down
Verb
-
The funeral home building was demolished in 2024 after the EPA condemned it, classifying it as a toxic waste site.—
Brian Sherrod,
CBS News,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Whether the law survives looming legal challenges—rooted in a 1933 state Supreme Court ruling classifying income as property—remains an open question.—
Catherina Gioino,
Fortune,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Carie Hallford was sentenced to 30 years for her role in a scheme that involved hiding nearly 200 decomposing bodies.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
25 Apr. 2026
-
The autopsy was performed in September 2025, days after the body was found decomposing in the Tesla's trunk at a Hollywood tow yard, but the results were ordered sealed by a judge as the Los Angeles Police Department and the county's District Attorney's Office built their case.—
Dean Fioresi,
CBS News,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
There was a science to analyzing whether the hairs came from someone dead or alive.—
Mary Murphy,
CBS News,
26 Apr. 2026
-
On top of that, when analyzing the beaks, the team noticed a distinct pattern.—
Jacek Krywko,
ArsTechnica,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Another found that women who remained childless after a fertility evaluation had more than a twofold higher risk of dying by suicide than those who eventually did have a child.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Apr. 2026
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According to a February 2024 review of 45 studies encompassing some 10 million people, eating 10% more ultraprocessed foods raised the risk of developing or dying from dozens of adverse health conditions.—
Sandee LaMotte,
CNN Money,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Practice non-reaction This can feel counterintuitive, but sometimes the best strategy is to take a pause and not immediately react or intervene when your child is melting down.—
Wendy Wisner,
Parents,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Sidestep a financial wrangle if someone is melting down.—
Tribune Content Agency,
Baltimore Sun,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
At that time, there was also another element that was taking down some other buildings.—
David Hookstead OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Brandon Steiner is in charge of taking down and selling items from Highmark Stadium.—
Sam Brock,
NBC news,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In a race for the ages, Sabastian Sawe of Kenya won the London Marathon in 1 hour, 59 minutes and 30 seconds on Sunday, shattering the previous men’s world record by an astonishing 65 seconds.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2026
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The Kenyan runner won the London Marathon in 1 hour, 59 minutes and 30 seconds, shattering the previous men’s world record by 65 seconds.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Laron is the son of Ronnie Major, an ex-high-ranking Sin City Disciples operative, who was sentenced to over 24 years in prison in October.—
Meredith Colias-Pete,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Apr. 2026
-
The 37-year-old was remarkably durable this season, ranking second in the NBA in minutes played.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Breaking down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/breaking%20down. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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