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break

break

 
 
pronunciation:
breIk
parts of speech:
verb, noun
phrases:
break down, break in
features:
Word Combinations (verb, noun), Homophone Note, Word Explorer
part of speech: verb
inflections: breaks, breaking, broke, broken
definition 1: to cause to come apart into pieces; smash.
She broke the nutshell with a hammer.
 
synonyms:
shatter, smash, snap
similar words:
burst, clip, crash, crush, fracture, grind, mangle, mash, mince, rupture, splinter, split, tear
definition 2: to damage or make no longer usable.
She fell and broke her arm.We have no music because you broke the radio.
synonyms:
destroy, ruin, shatter, wreck
antonyms:
mend
similar words:
annihilate, blast, bust, crack, crash, damage, mangle, total
definition 3: to tame or overcome the strength of by using force.
It took him two weeks to break the wild horse.
synonyms:
crush, defeat, overcome
similar words:
annihilate, batter, dash, demolish, frustrate, overpower, overwhelm, put down, stamp out, subdue, tame
definition 4: to bring an end to; interrupt.
Brenda broke her smoking habit.One brave student broke the silence.
synonyms:
interrupt
similar words:
change, discontinue, disrupt, violate
definition 5: to make known.
Who will break the bad news to her?
synonyms:
disclose, expose, reveal, uncover
similar words:
bare, betray
definition 6: to fail to obey or be faithful to.
They broke the law.He never breaks a promise.
synonyms:
breach, defy, disobey, violate
antonyms:
keep, observe
similar words:
disregard, neglect, oppose, shirk
definition 7: to soften the effect of.
The bushes broke his fall.
synonyms:
cushion, soften
similar words:
check, lessen
definition 8: to go beyond.
She may break the world record.
synonyms:
better, exceed, outdo, surpass, top
similar words:
beat, cap, eclipse, overcome
definition 9: to come apart into pieces; shatter.
His favorite cup broke into pieces.
synonyms:
crack, shatter, smash, snap
similar words:
clip, crash, disintegrate, fracture, splinter, split, tear
definition 10: to become ruined or no longer usable.
My watch broke.
synonyms:
collapse
similar words:
bust, crack, fail
definition 11: to burst or collapse.
Water pipes can break when the temperature drops below freezing.
synonyms:
burst, collapse, split
similar words:
crash, explode, give
definition 12: to stop or disappear suddenly.
The fever has finally broken.
synonyms:
cease, halt, stop
similar words:
disappear, end, vanish
definition 13: to become known to the public.
The story broke, and he is now a celebrity.
similar words:
emerge, transpire, unfold
definition 14: to move away suddenly and rapidly.
Seeing the rabbit, the dog broke from its owner.
synonyms:
flee
similar words:
dash, escape, fly, move, run
Word CombinationsSubscriber feature About this feature
phrase: break down, break in
 
part of speech: noun
definition 1: the act or result of breaking or coming apart into pieces.
The break in her leg healed in three weeks.
synonyms:
smash
similar words:
chip, crack, cut, flaw, leak, rupture, slit, snap, splinter, split, tear
definition 2: a sudden, fast movement away; escape.
The robber made a break for the rear of the bank.
synonyms:
escape, flight
similar words:
run
definition 3: a period of time when something stops; interruption.
We took a break from our work to eat dinner.
synonyms:
interruption, pause
similar words:
gap, halt, intermission, interval, recess, rest, stop
definition 4: a lucky chance; opportunity.
Getting a part in the film was a big break for her.
synonyms:
chance, opportunity
definition 5: a sudden change.
We hoped for a break in the hot, humid weather.
similar words:
change
Word CombinationsSubscriber feature About this feature
derivation: breakable (adj.)
Homophone Note
Are you looking for the word brake (a stopping device)? Break and brake sound alike but have different meanings.
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