1
as in to classify
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 to decompose
to go through decomposition
the enamel of a human tooth will begin to break down when exposed to sugar for too long
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3
as in to analyze
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to die
to stop functioning
the computer finally broke down and had to be replaced
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5
as in to crack
to yield to mental or emotional stress
began to break down when he realized that he was on the verge of bankruptcy
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6
as in to take down
to take apart
the crew was breaking down the party tent when we arrived
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7
as in to shatter
to cause to break with violence and much noise
firefighters had to break down the wall to rescue the kitten
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1
as in nervous breakdown
a mental or nervous collapse
if you don't ease your workload, you're going to have a breakdown
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2
as in decomposition
the process by which dead organic matter separates into simpler substances
the breakdown of the body was arrested by the embalming process
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3
as in analysis
the separation and identification of the parts of a whole
the boss wanted a detailed breakdown of the sales figures
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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of break down
Annie Waldman, CNN, 14 Dec. 2024
Gates is known for his ability to break down complex ideas into simple, relatable messages that resonate with diverse audiences.
—Chiara Alzati, Forbes, 3 Dec. 2024
Samantha Riedel, Them, 12 Dec. 2024
Multiple sclerosis causes a breakdown of the protective covering of nerves, according to the Mayo Clinic.
—Wendy Grossman Kantor, People.com, 10 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for break down 
Verb
For more than 33 hours a week in the specialized therapy, his clinicians broke down the learning process into basic steps, using repetition and positive reinforcement to affirm behaviors.
—Annie Waldman, CNN, 14 Dec. 2024
Gates is known for his ability to break down complex ideas into simple, relatable messages that resonate with diverse audiences.
—Chiara Alzati, Forbes, 3 Dec. 2024
Noun
Trump's Staff and Cabinet Picks Are Shaping Up to Be a Who's Who of Anti-LGBTQ+ Extremists
From Matt Gaetz to Marco Rubio, here's a breakdown of their anti-LGBTQ+ records.
—Samantha Riedel, Them, 12 Dec. 2024
Multiple sclerosis causes a breakdown of the protective covering of nerves, according to the Mayo Clinic.
—Wendy Grossman Kantor, People.com, 10 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for break down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for break down
Verb
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Some portions of the state are classified as being in an extreme drought.Katie Nixon, The Tennessean, 20 Dec. 2024
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For the moment, it’s classified as a technology stock.Bob Pisani, CNBC, 20 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Once discarded, 66 percent of these textiles are sent to landfills to decompose (some quickly, others over hundreds of years).Andre Claudio, WWD, 18 Dec. 2024
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She had been buried there for quite some time, Hardee says, adding that her remains had been decomposed when they were found.Samira Asma-Sadeque, People.com, 12 Dec. 2024
Verb
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For a study published in the journal Antiquity, researchers analyzed more than 3,000 bones and bone fragments attributed to dozens of individuals from the Early Bronze Age site of Charterhouse Warren in southwest England.Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 16 Dec. 2024
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Collecting and organizing this data is just the start of the challenge; the real challenge is finding the time, opportunity, and tools for instructors to analyze this data to produce better student outcomes.Ray Ravaglia, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Prince Baltasar Carlos, Philip’s only son and likely heir to all the king’s dominions, had died at 16, apparently a smallpox victim.Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 17 Dec. 2024
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On Election Day, Ramirez and Hernandez found out Hernandez’s brother Johnny died, undocumented, in Minersville, Pa.Rafael Bernal, The Hill, 17 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Another new Nashville restaurant nearly cracked the top 10: Gannons Nashville (170 Fourth Ave. N.), which came in at No. 12.Mackensy Lunsford, The Tennessean, 20 Dec. 2024
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He’s now collected eight total smashes that have cracked that uppermost tier throughout his solo career, and that number doesn’t include his output as one-seventh of BTS.Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
Verb
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According to federal laws, the military can only take down drones by military bases if the drones exhibit a clear threat, and spying isn’t one, the Journal notes.Stephen Pastis, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024
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The video was later taken down by the social media site.Youri Benadjaoud, ABC News, 18 Dec. 2024
Verb
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The sequel, released over Thanksgiving weekend, has shattered box office records and has already raked in $750 million internationally.Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 23 Dec. 2024
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The inaugural season of the Jamie Chadwick Series wrapped up with a resounding success, shattering records and opening new doors for young girls in the world of motorsport.Jenn Nelson, Forbes, 22 Dec. 2024
Noun
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The entire affair smelled like a quasi-constitutional coup attempt authored by a desperate head of state whose intensive bickering with the National Assembly over everything from budgets to investigations had induced a nervous breakdown.Daniel R. DePetris, Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2024
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One Fort Lauderdale women’s book club member said at a recent meeting that the entire group described itself as having a collective nervous breakdown due to election stress.Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 2 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near break down
Cite this Entry
“Break down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/break%20down. Accessed 31 Dec. 2024.
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