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English dictionary

break

/br/eI/k/

Definitions, examples, synonyms and antonyms from WordNet 3.0.

noun

  1. some abrupt occurrence that interrupts an ongoing activity

    noun.event

    Examples
    There was a break in the action when a player was hurt.
    Synonyms interruption

    Source: WordNet 3.0

  2. an unexpected piece of good luck

    noun.event

    Examples
    He finally got his big break.
    Synonyms good luck happy chance

    Source: WordNet 3.0

  3. (geology) a crack in the earth's crust resulting from the displacement of one side with respect to the other

    noun.object

    Synonyms fault faulting fracture geological fault shift

    Source: WordNet 3.0

  4. a personal or social separation (as between opposing factions)

    noun.event

    Examples
    They hoped to avoid a break in relations.
    Synonyms breach falling out rift rupture severance

    Source: WordNet 3.0

  5. a pause from doing something (as work)

    noun.act

    Examples
    We took a 10-minute break.
    Synonyms recess respite time out

    Source: WordNet 3.0

  6. the act of breaking something

    noun.act

    Examples
    The breakage was unavoidable.
    Synonyms breakage breaking

    Source: WordNet 3.0

  7. a time interval during which there is a temporary cessation of something

    noun.time

    Synonyms intermission interruption pause suspension

    Source: WordNet 3.0

  8. breaking of hard tissue such as bone

    noun.state

    Examples
    The break seems to have been caused by a fall.
    Synonyms fracture

    Source: WordNet 3.0

  9. the occurrence of breaking

    noun.event

    Examples
    The break in the dam threatened the valley.

    Source: WordNet 3.0

  10. an abrupt change in the tone or register of the voice (as at puberty or due to emotion)

    noun.event

    Examples
    Then there was a break in her voice.

    Source: WordNet 3.0

  11. the opening shot that scatters the balls in billiards or pool

    noun.act

    Source: WordNet 3.0

  12. (tennis) a score consisting of winning a game when your opponent was serving

    noun.act

    Examples
    He was up two breaks in the second set.
    Synonyms break of serve

    Source: WordNet 3.0

  13. an act of delaying or interrupting the continuity

    noun.act

    Examples
    It was presented without commercial breaks.
    Synonyms disruption gap interruption

    Source: WordNet 3.0

  14. a sudden dash

    noun.act

    Examples
    He made a break for the open door.

    Source: WordNet 3.0

  15. any frame in which a bowler fails to make a strike or spare

    noun.act

    Examples
    The break in the eighth frame cost him the match.
    Synonyms open frame

    Source: WordNet 3.0

  16. an escape from jail

    noun.act

    Examples
    The breakout was carefully planned.
    Synonyms breakout gaolbreak jailbreak prison-breaking prisonbreak

    Source: WordNet 3.0

  17. An opening made by fracture or disruption.

    noun

    Source: webster1913

verb

  1. terminate

    verb.change

    Examples
    Break a lucky streak.
    Break the cycle of poverty.
    Synonyms ax axe close out interrupt

    Source: WordNet 3.0

  2. become separated into pieces or fragments

    verb.change

    Synonyms come apart fall apart separate split up

    Source: WordNet 3.0

  3. render inoperable or ineffective

    verb.change

    Source: WordNet 3.0

  4. ruin completely

    verb.contact

    Synonyms bust
    Antonyms bushel doctor fix furbish up mend repair restore touch on

    Source: WordNet 3.0

  5. destroy the integrity of; usually by force; cause to separate into pieces or fragments

    verb.change

    Source: WordNet 3.0

  6. act in disregard of laws, rules, contracts, or promises

    verb.social

    Examples
    Break a law.
    Break a promise.
    Synonyms breach go against infract offend transgress violate
    Antonyms keep observe

    Source: WordNet 3.0

  7. move away or escape suddenly

    verb.motion

    Examples
    Nobody can break out--this prison is high security.
    Synonyms break away break out

    Source: WordNet 3.0

  8. scatter or part

    verb.motion

    Source: WordNet 3.0

  9. force out or release suddenly and often violently something pent up

    verb.emotion

    Examples
    Break into tears.
    Synonyms burst erupt

    Source: WordNet 3.0

  10. prevent completion

    verb.change

    Examples
    Break off the negotiations.
    Synonyms break off discontinue stop

    Source: WordNet 3.0

  11. enter someone's (virtual or real) property in an unauthorized manner, usually with the intent to steal or commit a violent act

    verb.social

    Synonyms break in

    Source: WordNet 3.0

  12. make submissive, obedient, or useful

    verb.change

    Examples
    The horse was tough to break.

    Source: WordNet 3.0

  13. fail to agree with; be in violation of; as of rules or patterns

    verb.stative

    Synonyms go against violate
    Antonyms conform to

    Source: WordNet 3.0

  14. surpass in excellence

    verb.competition

    Examples
    Break a record.
    Synonyms better

    Source: WordNet 3.0

  15. make known to the public information that was previously known only to a few people or that was meant to be kept a secret

    verb.communication

    Synonyms bring out disclose discover divulge expose give away let on let out reveal unwrap

    Source: WordNet 3.0

  16. come into being

    verb.change

    Source: WordNet 3.0

  17. stop operating or functioning

    verb.change

    Synonyms break down conk out die fail give out give way go go bad

    Source: WordNet 3.0

  18. interrupt a continued activity

    verb.social

    Synonyms break away

    Source: WordNet 3.0

  19. make a rupture in the ranks of the enemy or one's own by quitting or fleeing

    verb.motion

    Source: WordNet 3.0

  20. curl over and fall apart in surf or foam, of waves

    verb.motion

    Source: WordNet 3.0

  21. lessen in force or effect

    verb.change

    Examples
    Break a fall.
    Synonyms damp dampen soften weaken

    Source: WordNet 3.0

  22. be broken in

    verb.change

    Examples
    If the new teacher won't break, we'll add some stress.

    Source: WordNet 3.0

  23. come to an end

    verb.stative

    Synonyms break up dissolve

    Source: WordNet 3.0

  24. vary or interrupt a uniformity or continuity

    verb.stative

    Source: WordNet 3.0

  25. cause to give up a habit

    verb.stative

    Source: WordNet 3.0

  26. give up

    verb.stative

    Examples
    Break cigarette smoking.

    Source: WordNet 3.0

  27. come forth or begin from a state of latency

    verb.stative

    Source: WordNet 3.0

  28. happen or take place

    verb.social

    Examples
    Things have been breaking pretty well for us in the past few months.

    Source: WordNet 3.0

  29. cause the failure or ruin of

    verb.social

    Examples
    This play will either make or break the playwright.
    Antonyms make

    Source: WordNet 3.0

  30. invalidate by judicial action

    verb.social

    Source: WordNet 3.0

  31. discontinue an association or relation; go different ways

    verb.social

    Synonyms break up part separate split split up

    Source: WordNet 3.0

  32. assign to a lower position; reduce in rank

    verb.social

    Synonyms bump demote kick downstairs relegate
    Antonyms advance elevate kick upstairs promote raise upgrade

    Source: WordNet 3.0

  33. reduce to bankruptcy

    verb.possession

    Examples
    My daughter's fancy wedding is going to break me!
    Synonyms bankrupt ruin smash

    Source: WordNet 3.0

  34. change directions suddenly

    verb.motion

    Source: WordNet 3.0

  35. emerge from the surface of a body of water

    verb.motion

    Source: WordNet 3.0

  36. break down, literally or metaphorically

    verb.motion

    Synonyms cave in collapse fall in founder give give way

    Source: WordNet 3.0

  37. do a break dance

    verb.motion

    Examples
    Kids were break-dancing at the street corner.
    Synonyms break dance break-dance

    Source: WordNet 3.0

  38. exchange for smaller units of money

    verb.contact

    Examples
    I had to break a $100 bill just to buy the candy.

    Source: WordNet 3.0

  39. destroy the completeness of a set of related items

    verb.contact

    Examples
    The book dealer would not break the set.
    Synonyms break up

    Source: WordNet 3.0

  40. make the opening shot that scatters the balls

    verb.contact

    Source: WordNet 3.0

  41. separate from a clinch, in boxing

    verb.contact

    Source: WordNet 3.0

  42. go to pieces

    verb.contact

    Synonyms bust fall apart wear wear out

    Source: WordNet 3.0

  43. break a piece from a whole

    verb.contact

    Examples
    Break a branch from a tree.
    Synonyms break off snap off

    Source: WordNet 3.0

  44. become punctured or penetrated

    verb.contact

    Source: WordNet 3.0

  45. pierce or penetrate

    verb.contact

    Source: WordNet 3.0

  46. be released or become known; of news

    verb.communication

    Synonyms get around get out

    Source: WordNet 3.0

  47. cease an action temporarily

    verb.communication

    Examples
    Let's break for lunch.
    Synonyms intermit pause

    Source: WordNet 3.0

  48. interrupt the flow of current in

    verb.communication

    Examples
    Break a circuit.

    Source: WordNet 3.0

  49. undergo breaking

    verb.communication

    Source: WordNet 3.0

  50. find a flaw in

    verb.cognition

    Examples
    Break an alibi.
    Break down a proof.

    Source: WordNet 3.0

  51. find the solution or key to

    verb.cognition

    Examples
    Break the code.

    Source: WordNet 3.0

  52. change suddenly from one tone quality or register to another

    verb.change

    Source: WordNet 3.0

  53. happen

    verb.change

    Synonyms develop operate recrudesce

    Source: WordNet 3.0

  54. become fractured; break or crack on the surface only

    verb.change

    Synonyms check crack

    Source: WordNet 3.0

  55. crack; of the male voice in puberty

    verb.change

    Examples
    His voice is breaking--he should no longer sing in the choir.

    Source: WordNet 3.0

  56. fall sharply

    verb.change

    Source: WordNet 3.0

  57. fracture a bone of

    verb.body

    Source: WordNet 3.0

  58. diminish or discontinue abruptly

    verb.body

    Source: WordNet 3.0

  59. weaken or destroy in spirit or body

    verb.body

    Source: WordNet 3.0

  60. To strain apart; to sever by fracture; to divide with violence; as, to <i>break</i> a rope or chain; to <i>break</i> a seal; to <i>break</i> an axle; to <i>break</i> rocks or coal; to <i>break</i> a lock.

    verb

    Source: webster1913

  61. To come apart or divide into two or more pieces, usually with suddenness and violence; to part; to burst asunder.

    verb

    Source: webster1913

Nearby words

breadthbreadth indexbreadthlessbreadthwaysbreadthwisebreadwinnerbreak apartbreak awaybreak breadbreak campbreak dancebreak dancing

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