break down 1 of 2

verb

Definition of break downnext
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

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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

breakdown

2 of 2

noun

ˈbrāk-ˌdau̇n How to pronounce breakdown (audio)
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word break down distinct from other similar verbs?

The words analyze and dissect are common synonyms of break down. While all three words mean "to divide a complex whole into its parts or elements," break down implies a reducing to simpler parts or divisions.

break down the budget

When is it sensible to use analyze instead of break down?

Although the words analyze and break down have much in common, analyze suggests separating or distinguishing the component parts of something (such as a substance, a process, a situation) so as to discover its true nature or inner relationships.

analyzed the collected data

When could dissect be used to replace break down?

While in some cases nearly identical to break down, dissect suggests a searching analysis by laying bare parts or pieces for individual scrutiny.

commentators dissected every word of the speech

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of break down
Verb
Lay down the cardboard and cover it with a 2- to 3-inch layer of organic mulch to block sunlight from reaching weed seeds while retaining soil moisture and improving soil health as the mulch and cardboard break down. — Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 4 July 2026 Cannon breaks down the accountability, aggressiveness and the perspective needed to play effective defense after the team’s reset week. — John W. Davis, Oc Register, 5 July 2026
Noun
Here’s what to know about the cases and the rulings on June 30, including a breakdown of how each justice voted. — Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 1 July 2026 An article published by Netflix's Tudum shared a detailed breakdown of how Enola Holmes' two wedding dresses came to be. — Michelle Lee, PEOPLE, 2 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for break down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for break down
  1. classify
  2. decompose
  3. analyze
  4. die
  5. crack
  6. take down
  7. shatter
  8. nervous breakdown
Verb
  • The Education Department initially classified only 11 fields as professional, leaving out areas including nursing, physical therapy and education.
    — Andrew Khouri, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
  • Devine told me that e-bike and moped marketing is confusing and regulations keeping e-bikes safely classified are cloudy.
    — Doug Turnbull, AJC.com, 5 July 2026
Definition of classify
Verb
  • The Yolo County Central Landfill will build a new system that will convert methane from decomposing waste into renewable natural gas, the county announced Tuesday.
    — Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 30 June 2026
  • The ocean becomes a creamy expanse splotched with brown mats of decomposing algae, according to photos shared by Abrams.
    — Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 28 June 2026
Definition of decompose
Verb
  • Cisco has built and is refining an AI tool for investor relations that analyzes its financial history alongside competitors’ earnings calls and can anticipate likely questions from specific analysts.
    — Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 1 July 2026
  • In the new study published in JAMA Internal Medicine, researchers analyzed electronic health records from 2001 to 2023 for more than 700,000 pairs of mothers and children in Hong Kong.
    — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 1 July 2026
Definition of analyze
Verb
  • Ramos’ two daughters –– Darling Antonella, seven, and Dulce María, two –– were staying with their grandparents and great-grandparents, who also died in the earthquakes.
    — Isa Soares, CNN Money, 1 July 2026
  • It was created in 2015 to honor the life and legacy of former ESPN broadcaster Stuart Scott, who died due to cancer earlier that year.
    — Tom Ignudo, CBS News, 1 July 2026
Definition of die
Verb
  • Herman Weisberg, a former NYPD detective turned high-profile private investigator, believes one phone call could still crack the case.
    — Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026
  • The item was later determined to be crack cocaine, the sheriff’s office said.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 2 July 2026
Definition of crack
Verb
  • Trump eventually took down the post but followed it up a few days later with another AI image showing him embraced by Jesus in front of an American flag.
    — Siladitya Ray, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
  • The 150-foot-by-300-foot flag, which hangs on the dam's south-facing wall, was temporarily taken down in June after developing a large tear.
    — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 2 July 2026
Definition of take down
Verb
  • Seconds later, a powerful explosion blasted through the doorway, shattering windows and sending vertical blinds and debris flying as firefighters quickly retreated from the building.
    — Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026
  • Republican Rick Jackson shattered spending records in Georgia by spending $108 million of his own money into his campaign for governor.
    — Greg Bluestein, AJC.com, 2 July 2026
Definition of shatter
Noun
  • After suffering a nervous breakdown and being taken care of by Marlon Brando’s daughter Cheyenne in Tahiti, Jones eventually returned to his life as a mogul of music, television and magazines.
    — Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, 3 July 2026
  • Some people in Caracas and surrounding areas suffered nervous breakdowns following the events of Wednesday afternoon, compounded by warnings that their homes might collapse.
    — Gustavo Ocando Alex, Miami Herald, 25 June 2026
Definition of nervous breakdown

Phrases Containing break down

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break bread
break down
breakdown
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Cite this Entry

“Break down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/break%20down. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on break down

Nglish: Translation of break down for Spanish Speakers

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