break in 1 of 2

verb

Definition of break innext
1
as in to invade
to enter a house or building by force usually with illegal intent the burglars broke in by smashing a window

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in to interrupt
to cause a disruption in a conversation or discussion he rudely broke in to drop the names of several celebrities that he had met

Synonyms & Similar Words

break-in

2 of 2

noun

as in burglary

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 in
Verb
During the two-season break in filming between seasons five and six, the star, executive producer and director on the series had her first child. — Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 9 Apr. 2025 Travis Scott’s first major break in music came thanks to Ye (formerly Kanye West). — Michael Saponara, Billboard, 8 Apr. 2025
Noun
Each step of the break-in should have alerted security officers at the residence, according to Michael Evanoff, a security consultant and former assistant secretary of state for diplomatic security at the US State Department. — Josh Campbell, CNN Money, 15 Apr. 2025 Potentially violent crimes, such as home invasions, break-ins, 'smash and grabs' from vehicles stopped at intersections and from locked cars in shopping mall parking lots, cell phone thefts, and muggings are routinely reported to police. — Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for break in
Recent Examples of Synonyms for break in
  1. invade
  2. interrupt
  3. burglary
  4. rob
  5. cut in
  6. holdup
Verb
  • Demand for weapons spiked in Europe after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022 and has persisted.
    — Lara Jakes, New York Times, 22 Apr. 2025
  • The lawsuit claims Eco-Vista has failed to prevent noxious odors and leachate from their trash disposal operation from invading the neighboring homes, interfering with the ability of residents to use and enjoy their homes and property and reducing property values in the area.
    — Ron Wood, Arkansas Online, 22 Apr. 2025
Definition of invade
Verb
  • It's not supposed to be interrupted by hazardous mold.
    — Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Jade Cargill interrupted Naomi and begin arguing with Bianca Belair.
    — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of interrupt
Noun
  • Commercial burglaries were up the first three months of the year, but a significant part of that is because of repeat offenders, Robinson said.
    — Jeff A. Chamer, Charlotte Observer, 11 Apr. 2025
  • At least 13 businesses in Mokena, Frankfort and Tinley Park were targeted in smash-and-grab burglaries early Friday morning, according to the Mokena Police Department.
    — Samantha Moilanen, Chicago Tribune, 11 Apr. 2025
Definition of burglary
Verb
  • Los Angeles jewelry store Love Jewels was robbed of around $20 million worth of jewelry during a daring heist on Sunday, April 13.
    — Charna Flam, People.com, 16 Apr. 2025
  • The synagogue isn’t a wholly random place for Hampton to be asked to rob.
    — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 15 Apr. 2025
Definition of rob
Verb
  • The bill sets dosage limits for various product types, and by 2029, those limits would be cut in half.
    — Dario Sabaghi, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Lawsuits challenging Trump administration cuts in grant funding by other agencies, such as the Department Health and Human Services, have made analogous arguments.
    — Noah Feldman, Twin Cities, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of cut in
Noun
  • Teacher evaluations, one of the last holdups in negotiations, will be adjusted to a three-year cycle for tenured teachers who have been with the district for over 19 years.
    — Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2025
  • Another potential holdup in an A’s-to-KC transition: The Kansas City Blues had been the Yankees’ top farm team.
    — Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 20 Mar. 2025
Definition of holdup

Browse Nearby Words

breakfronts
break in
break-in
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Break in.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/break%20in. Accessed 26 Apr. 2025.

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