break into

phrase

1
: to begin with or as if with a sudden throwing off of restraint
broke into tears
face breaking into a smile
the horse breaks into a gallop
2
: to make entry or entrance into
broke into the house
break into show business
3
: interrupt
break into a TV program with a news flash

Examples of break into in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Vandals broke into multiple businesses along Clark Street in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood overnight Monday into Tuesday. — Tara Molina, CBS News, 27 Oct. 2026 Among those who broke into the TV station and confronted the editor-in-chief Dragan Vucicevic was Dijana Hrka, the mother of one of the 16 victims of the 2024 train station tragedy in Serbia’s north that set off the protests. — ABC News, 27 Oct. 2026 Prosecutors said evidence presented in Hubbs’ trial established that Hubbs had been hired by someone else to break into the home and set it on fire. — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 27 Oct. 2026 Curiously, the same thing happened to Altobelli, and the two of us ended up breaking into a clamorous chorus of laughter, confirming our complicity, especially when laughing at one of our idols. — J. B. MacKinnon, Harpers Magazine, 27 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for break into

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of break into was in the 14th century

Rhymes for break into

See All Rhymes for break into

Browse Nearby Words

break in on
break into
break into a run
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Break into.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/break%20into. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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