English to English

break
(br/eI/k )

noun (n)

  • some abrupt occurrence that interrupts an ongoing activity(noun.event)
    Example:
    There was a break in the action when a player was hurt.
    Synonym:
    interruption
    source: wordnet30
  • an unexpected piece of good luck(noun.event)
    Example:
    He finally got his big break.
    Synonym:
    good luck, happy chance
    source: wordnet30
  • (geology) a crack in the earth's crust resulting from the displacement of one side with respect to the other(noun.object)
    Synonym:
    fault, faulting, fracture, geological fault, shift
    source: wordnet30
  • a personal or social separation (as between opposing factions)(noun.event)
    Example:
    They hoped to avoid a break in relations.
    Synonym:
    breach, falling out, rift, rupture, severance
    source: wordnet30
  • a pause from doing something (as work)(noun.act)
    Example:
    We took a 10-minute break.
    Synonym:
    recess, respite, time out
    source: wordnet30
  • the act of breaking something(noun.act)
    Example:
    The breakage was unavoidable.
    Synonym:
    breakage, breaking
    source: wordnet30
  • a time interval during which there is a temporary cessation of something(noun.time)
    Synonym:
    intermission, interruption, pause, suspension
    source: wordnet30
  • breaking of hard tissue such as bone(noun.state)
    Example:
    The break seems to have been caused by a fall.
    Synonym:
    fracture
    source: wordnet30
  • the occurrence of breaking(noun.event)
    Example:
    The break in the dam threatened the valley.
    source: wordnet30
  • an abrupt change in the tone or register of the voice (as at puberty or due to emotion)(noun.event)
    Example:
    Then there was a break in her voice.
    source: wordnet30
  • the opening shot that scatters the balls in billiards or pool(noun.act)
    source: wordnet30
  • (tennis) a score consisting of winning a game when your opponent was serving(noun.act)
    Example:
    He was up two breaks in the second set.
    Synonym:
    break of serve
    source: wordnet30
  • an act of delaying or interrupting the continuity(noun.act)
    Example:
    It was presented without commercial breaks.
    Synonym:
    disruption, gap, interruption
    source: wordnet30
  • a sudden dash(noun.act)
    Example:
    He made a break for the open door.
    source: wordnet30
  • any frame in which a bowler fails to make a strike or spare(noun.act)
    Example:
    The break in the eighth frame cost him the match.
    Synonym:
    open frame
    source: wordnet30
  • an escape from jail(noun.act)
    Example:
    The breakout was carefully planned.
    Synonym:
    breakout, gaolbreak, jailbreak, prison-breaking, prisonbreak
    source: wordnet30
  • An opening made by fracture or disruption.(noun)
    source: webster1913

verb (v)

  • terminate(verb.change)
    Example:
    Break a lucky streak.
    Break the cycle of poverty.
    Synonym:
    ax, axe, close out, interrupt
    source: wordnet30
  • become separated into pieces or fragments(verb.change)
    Synonym:
    come apart, fall apart, separate, split up
    source: wordnet30
  • render inoperable or ineffective(verb.change)
    source: wordnet30
  • ruin completely(verb.contact)
    Synonym:
    bust
    Antonym:
    bushel, doctor, fix, furbish up, mend, repair, restore, touch on
    source: wordnet30
  • destroy the integrity of; usually by force; cause to separate into pieces or fragments(verb.change)
    source: wordnet30
  • act in disregard of laws, rules, contracts, or promises(verb.social)
    Example:
    Break a law.
    Break a promise.
    Synonym:
    breach, go against, infract, offend, transgress, violate
    Antonym:
    keep, observe
    source: wordnet30
  • move away or escape suddenly(verb.motion)
    Example:
    Nobody can break out--this prison is high security.
    Synonym:
    break away, break out
    source: wordnet30
  • scatter or part(verb.motion)
    source: wordnet30
  • force out or release suddenly and often violently something pent up(verb.emotion)
    Example:
    Break into tears.
    Synonym:
    burst, erupt
    source: wordnet30
  • prevent completion(verb.change)
    Example:
    Break off the negotiations.
    Synonym:
    break off, discontinue, stop
    source: wordnet30
  • enter someone's (virtual or real) property in an unauthorized manner, usually with the intent to steal or commit a violent act(verb.social)
    Synonym:
    break in
    source: wordnet30
  • make submissive, obedient, or useful(verb.change)
    Example:
    The horse was tough to break.
    source: wordnet30
  • fail to agree with; be in violation of; as of rules or patterns(verb.stative)
    Synonym:
    go against, violate
    Antonym:
    conform to
    source: wordnet30
  • surpass in excellence(verb.competition)
    Example:
    Break a record.
    Synonym:
    better
    source: wordnet30
  • 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)
    Synonym:
    bring out, disclose, discover, divulge, expose, give away, let on, let out, reveal, unwrap
    source: wordnet30
  • come into being(verb.change)
    source: wordnet30
  • stop operating or functioning(verb.change)
    Synonym:
    break down, conk out, die, fail, give out, give way, go, go bad
    source: wordnet30
  • interrupt a continued activity(verb.social)
    Synonym:
    break away
    source: wordnet30
  • make a rupture in the ranks of the enemy or one's own by quitting or fleeing(verb.motion)
    source: wordnet30
  • curl over and fall apart in surf or foam, of waves(verb.motion)
    source: wordnet30
  • lessen in force or effect(verb.change)
    Example:
    Break a fall.
    Synonym:
    damp, dampen, soften, weaken
    source: wordnet30
  • be broken in(verb.change)
    Example:
    If the new teacher won't break, we'll add some stress.
    source: wordnet30
  • come to an end(verb.stative)
    Synonym:
    break up, dissolve
    source: wordnet30
  • vary or interrupt a uniformity or continuity(verb.stative)
    source: wordnet30
  • cause to give up a habit(verb.stative)
    source: wordnet30
  • give up(verb.stative)
    Example:
    Break cigarette smoking.
    source: wordnet30
  • come forth or begin from a state of latency(verb.stative)
    source: wordnet30
  • happen or take place(verb.social)
    Example:
    Things have been breaking pretty well for us in the past few months.
    source: wordnet30
  • cause the failure or ruin of(verb.social)
    Example:
    This play will either make or break the playwright.
    Antonym:
    make
    source: wordnet30
  • invalidate by judicial action(verb.social)
    source: wordnet30
  • discontinue an association or relation; go different ways(verb.social)
    Synonym:
    break up, part, separate, split, split up
    source: wordnet30
  • assign to a lower position; reduce in rank(verb.social)
    Synonym:
    bump, demote, kick downstairs, relegate
    Antonym:
    advance, elevate, kick upstairs, promote, raise, upgrade
    source: wordnet30
  • reduce to bankruptcy(verb.possession)
    Example:
    My daughter's fancy wedding is going to break me!.
    Synonym:
    bankrupt, ruin, smash
    source: wordnet30
  • change directions suddenly(verb.motion)
    source: wordnet30
  • emerge from the surface of a body of water(verb.motion)
    source: wordnet30
  • break down, literally or metaphorically(verb.motion)
    Synonym:
    cave in, collapse, fall in, founder, give, give way
    source: wordnet30
  • do a break dance(verb.motion)
    Example:
    Kids were break-dancing at the street corner.
    Synonym:
    break dance, break-dance
    source: wordnet30
  • exchange for smaller units of money(verb.contact)
    Example:
    I had to break a $100 bill just to buy the candy.
    source: wordnet30
  • destroy the completeness of a set of related items(verb.contact)
    Example:
    The book dealer would not break the set.
    Synonym:
    break up
    source: wordnet30
  • make the opening shot that scatters the balls(verb.contact)
    source: wordnet30
  • separate from a clinch, in boxing(verb.contact)
    source: wordnet30
  • go to pieces(verb.contact)
    Synonym:
    bust, fall apart, wear, wear out
    source: wordnet30
  • break a piece from a whole(verb.contact)
    Example:
    Break a branch from a tree.
    Synonym:
    break off, snap off
    source: wordnet30
  • become punctured or penetrated(verb.contact)
    source: wordnet30
  • pierce or penetrate(verb.contact)
    source: wordnet30
  • be released or become known; of news(verb.communication)
    Synonym:
    get around, get out
    source: wordnet30
  • cease an action temporarily(verb.communication)
    Example:
    Let's break for lunch.
    Synonym:
    intermit, pause
    source: wordnet30
  • interrupt the flow of current in(verb.communication)
    Example:
    Break a circuit.
    source: wordnet30
  • undergo breaking(verb.communication)
    source: wordnet30
  • find a flaw in(verb.cognition)
    Example:
    Break an alibi.
    Break down a proof.
    source: wordnet30
  • find the solution or key to(verb.cognition)
    Example:
    Break the code.
    source: wordnet30
  • change suddenly from one tone quality or register to another(verb.change)
    source: wordnet30
  • happen(verb.change)
    Synonym:
    develop, operate, recrudesce
    source: wordnet30
  • become fractured; break or crack on the surface only(verb.change)
    Synonym:
    check, crack
    source: wordnet30
  • crack; of the male voice in puberty(verb.change)
    Example:
    His voice is breaking--he should no longer sing in the choir.
    source: wordnet30
  • fall sharply(verb.change)
    source: wordnet30
  • fracture a bone of(verb.body)
    source: wordnet30
  • diminish or discontinue abruptly(verb.body)
    source: wordnet30
  • weaken or destroy in spirit or body(verb.body)
    source: wordnet30
  • To strain apart; to sever by fracture; to divide with violence; as, to break a rope or chain; to break a seal; to break an axle; to break rocks or coal; to break a lock.(verb)
    source: webster1913
  • To come apart or divide into two or more pieces, usually with suddenness and violence; to part; to burst asunder.(verb)
    source: webster1913

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