Synonyms of break down

break down 1 of 2

verb

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

• classify
• rank
• distinguish
• group
• relegate
• separate
• grade
• type
• sort
• place
• distribute
• class
• categorize
• file
• digest
• list
• identify
• organize
• codify
• range
• recognize
• peg
• compartment
• compartmentalize
• draw up
• refer
• order
• catalog
• assort
• dispose
• index
• cull
• catalogue
• array
• systematize
• marshall
• marshal
• alphabetize
• pigeonhole
• shelve
• sift
• sieve
• reclassify
• clump
• cluster
• winnow
• screen
• regroup
• set
• colligate
• recategorize
• subcategorize

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• mix (up)
• lump
• confuse
• scramble
• disarrange
• jumble
• misclassify
• mistype
• missort

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• decompose
• decay
• disintegrate
• rot
• fall apart
• run to seed
• corrupt
• mold
• perish
• go to seed
• spoil
• fester
• deteriorate
• foul
• descend
• putrefy
• crumble
• turn off
• turn
• molder
• sour
• contaminate
• rust
• pollute
• taint
• ferment
• defile
• mortify
• curdle
• degenerate
• sink
• decline
• addle
• wither
• dilapidate

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• grow
• develop
• mature
• restore
• ripen
• age
• renew
• refresh
• improve
• better
• cleanse
• purify
• integrate
• compose
• assemble
• ameliorate
• meliorate

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• analyze
• dissect
• examine
• assess
• diagnose
• cut
• investigate
• evaluate
• divide
• assay
• deconstruct
• anatomize
• inspect
• scrutinize
• sort
• separate
• index
• reduce
• catalog
• segment
• classify
• order
• codify
• arrange
• catalogue
• tabulate
• categorize
• enumerate
• subdivide
• schematize
• diagram
• assort

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• integrate
• consolidate
• aggregate
• synthesize
• conglomerate
• unify
• assimilate
• coalesce
• amalgamate
• agglomerate

4

as in to die

to stop functioning

the computer finally broke down and had to be replaced

Synonyms & Similar Words

• die
• crash
• fail
• cut out
• stall
• break
• give out
• conk (out)
• act up
• sputter
• jam
• wheeze
• fizzle
• malfunction

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• start (up)

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• crack
• fall apart
• melt down
• lose it
• choke
• go to pieces
• break up
• flip (out)
• freak (out)
• wig (out)
• go off the deep end
• blow one's cool

6

as in to take down

to take apart

the crew was breaking down the party tent when we arrived

Synonyms & Similar Words

• take down
• knock down
• disconnect
• dismantle
• strike
• detach
• dismount
• disassemble
• dismember
• divide
• demount
• separate
• disengage
• break up
• disaggregate
• disunite
• disarticulate
• dissever
• disjoin
• disjoint

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• construct
• build
• assemble
• combine
• erect
• unite
• pitch

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• shatter
• smash
• destroy
• demolish
• fracture
• tear down
• fragment
• split
• crash
• wreck
• ruin
• desolate
• crack
• waste
• vaporize
• total
• splinter
• annihilate
• pulverize
• crush
• snap
• shiver
• devastate
• bust
• decimate
• nuke
• wrack
• bash
• crunch

breakdown

2 of 2

noun

ˈbrāk-ˌdau̇n 

1

as in nervous breakdown

a mental or nervous collapse

if you don't ease your workload, you're going to have a breakdown

Synonyms & Similar Words

• nervous breakdown
• disturbance
• tailspin
• anxiety
• agitation
• excitability
• crack-up
• meltdown
• apprehension
• nervousness
• perturbation
• freak-out
• disquiet
• frazzle
• alarm
• alarum
• basket case
• discomposure

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• composure
• tranquillity
• coolness
• tranquility
• serenity
• calmness
• placidity
• aplomb
• imperturbability
• tranquilness
• sereneness
• self-possession

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• decomposition
• decay
• fermentation
• spoilage
• rot
• putrefaction
• disintegration
• corruption
• crumbling
• festering
• putrescence
• dissolution
• souring
• curdling
• moldering

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• growth
• maturation
• ripening

3

as in analysis

the separation and identification of the parts of a whole

the boss wanted a detailed breakdown of the sales figures

Synonyms & Similar Words

• analysis
• inspection
• investigation
• examination
• assessment
• dissection
• evaluation
• anatomy
• deconstruction
• assay
• diagnosis
• anatomizing
• classification
• inventory
• categorization
• scrutiny
• codification
• tabulation
• cataloging
• arrangement
• reduction
• indexing
• cataloguing
• assortment
• enumeration
• segmentation
• muster
• subdivision
• itemization
• separation
• division

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• synthesis
• integration
• consolidation
• aggregation
• unification
• assimilation
• amalgamation
• coalescence
• agglomeration
• conglomeration

Examples of break down in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Not to mention the kiosks can malfunction or break down. —Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN, 20 Sep. 2024

Thankfully, this cleansing oil does a great job of breaking down your makeup quickly. —Iman Balagam, Vogue, 20 Sep. 2024

Noun

In a summary of its internal investigation into the assassination attempt, the Secret Service said those communications breakdowns — both before and during the rally — are the reason the attacker was able to get close enough to fire at Trump. —Mike Allen, Axios, 20 Sep. 2024

This macronutrient breakdown varies but usually involves eating 55–60% of daily calories from fat, 30–35% from protein, and 5–10% from carbohydrates. —Sarah Garone, Health, 18 Sep. 2024

Phrases Containing break down

• nervous breakdown