How to Use break in a Sentence

break

1 of 2 verb
Definition of breaknext
Synonyms for breaknext
  • The fall broke his arm.
  • She broke the cup when she dropped it on the floor.
  • His arm broke in three places when he fell.
  • A bruise forms when a blood vessel breaks under the skin.
  • A chain will break at its weakest link.
  • It is easiest to break a chain at its weakest link.
  • Break the chocolate bar into pieces so that everyone can have some.
  • The guy in the Viking hat and his friends could break windows.
    — Benjamin Carter Hett, Star Tribune, 23 Jan. 2021
  • The IronBirds then broke the game open with a four-run fifth.
    — Randy McRoberts, The Aegis, 29 June 2017
  • Then, use your hands or a comb to rake through the waves and break them up.
    — Samantha Driscoll, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Aug. 2020
  • She’s had some of the darkest times in her life since the news broke.
    — Maira Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 18 Mar. 2024
  • The love of my life who could break my heart in a second.
    — Andy Fleming, The Enquirer, 11 Mar. 2022
  • If the ground-down roots break, the tree is more likely to blow over.
    — Dan Gill, NOLA.com, 9 Dec. 2020
  • On the other side of the city, a 4-year-old Ansel Adams falls and breaks his nose.
    — WIRED, 15 June 2023
  • Here's your proof that a cozy chair doesn't have to break the bank.
    — Anna Logan, Country Living, 30 Nov. 2022
  • In case of two- or three-way ties, head-to-head records would break it.
    — Mitch Stephens, San Francisco Chronicle, 4 Nov. 2021
  • Maybe what the Braves are doing will break that streak.
    — Peter Abraham, BostonGlobe.com, 26 Mar. 2022
  • The front and rear glass can break, and the metal frame will see scuffing.
    — Chris Smith, BGR, 28 Sep. 2021
  • These are the last days, when the world shall be broken and remade.
    — Joanna Robinson, HWD, 16 July 2017
  • The Big Ten set up an eight-factor process to break the tie.
    — Nathan Baird, cleveland, 5 Oct. 2020
  • Her goal is to break the world record for her age group next March.
    — Ethan Sears, The Indianapolis Star, 20 June 2020
  • The year-long project is set to break ground in November.
    — Marc Bona, cleveland, 24 Sep. 2020
  • So what would happen if one of those panes were to break?
    — Stefanie Waldek, Travel + Leisure, 19 Sep. 2023
  • Both of those guys can playmake and break their man down.
    — Chris Fedor, cleveland, 9 Oct. 2021
  • In the game, users play as slaves trying to break free and escape north.
    — Oliver Darcy, CNN, 10 July 2020
  • The back of the house faces east, so early risers can watch dawn break.
    — Mary Carole McCauley, baltimoresun.com, 2 Dec. 2021
  • McLaughlin was poised to break her own world record in Tokyo.
    — Sean Gregory/tokyo, Time, 3 Aug. 2021
  • Here’s a primer on the profession and how to break into it.
    — Anousha Sakoui, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2021
  • Needs birdie-birdie to tie Furyk’s record, birdie-eagle to break it.
    — oregonlive, 21 Aug. 2020
  • The groundswell for change in this moment might break the cycle.
    — Tim Prudente, baltimoresun.com, 24 Apr. 2021
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break

2 of 2 noun
  • There was a break in the hedge.
  • We waited for a break in the traffic.
  • We chatted during a break in the game.
  • The fields extend for miles without a break.
  • The tank is reinforced to prevent breaks and leaks.
  • We've been working all day without a break.
  • All employees are entitled to two breaks during the workday.
  • This could set in train a process that ends with the break-up of the union.
    — Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 31 July 2019
  • Clark started it with a layup on the break at the 3:31 mark.
    — Darrell Williams, NOLA.com, 27 Jan. 2021
  • The three-day event took a break after the first 10 rounds.
    — Vytas Mazeika, The Mercury News, 18 July 2019
  • San Felice heard the shots and made a break for the back door.
    — Washington Post, 1 July 2018
  • Smart made all three free throws for a 48-43 lead at the break.
    — Ben Steele, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 15 May 2022
  • Next was a 10-minute break and then on to an hour of math.
    — al, 22 Mar. 2020
  • Need a break from the stress of your fast-paced routine?
    — Isabel Garcia, House Beautiful, 11 Feb. 2020
  • Tweeting on a break outside the hall where the vault is.
    — Shannon Larson, BostonGlobe.com, 6 Sep. 2022
  • Put the golf clubs in a corner, take a break and think about it.
    — Kent Somers, The Arizona Republic, 5 Sep. 2020
  • The Texas Rangers have two games left to play until the All-Star break.
    — Shawn McFarland, Dallas News, 8 July 2023
  • Boston had 10 first-half turnovers and trailed by 4 at the break.
    — Adam Himmelsbach, BostonGlobe.com, 12 Nov. 2021
  • And every once in a while, put down your rake and take a break.
    — Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Oct. 2021
  • Glenn’s break as a country singer was the result of a dare.
    — Erin Osmon, Los Angeles Times, 30 Jan. 2024
  • Tatum is likely healthy enough to play but the Celtics need to give him a break.
    — Gary Washburn, BostonGlobe.com, 26 Nov. 2022
  • The grab-and-go meal sites will not be active during the break.
    — From Usa Today Network and Wire Reports, USA TODAY, 23 Dec. 2020
  • The update comes as Lambrook School's break comes to a close.
    — Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 30 Oct. 2023
  • He wasn't allowed to take my call in front [voice breaks] of her.
    — Peter Van Sant, CBS News, 4 Apr. 2020
  • But one thing that wouldn’t have to happen is a break from oil.
    — Chico Harlan, Washington Post, 21 Nov. 2023
  • Mine is just me and a bunch of women on their lunch break, but sure!).
    — Jennifer Wright, Harper's BAZAAR, 3 July 2017
  • Not only are the cast not allowed to leave the stage, but there’s no break.
    — Jessi Virtusio, Daily Southtown, 31 May 2018
  • There’s nothing to figure out all the time… give it a break.
    — Julyssa Lopez, Glamour, 4 July 2018
  • All is not lost: A great free skate and a few breaks could produce a medal.
    — Juliet MacUr, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2018
  • And, in your mental-break time, don't try to think about what to do next with your projects.
    — The Washington Post, 31 July 2020

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'break.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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