"break" | Definition and Related Words

break

Noun

Some abrupt occurrence that interrupts an ongoing activity (synset 107382412)
"the telephone is an annoying interruption"; "there was a break in the action when a player was hurt"

is a type of: happening, natural event, occurrence, occurrent - an event that happens
subtypes:
- dislocation, disruption - an event that results in a displacement or discontinuity
- punctuation - something that makes repeated and regular interruptions or divisions
- abatement, hiatus, reprieve, respite, suspension - an interruption in the intensity or amount of something
- eclipse, occultation - one celestial body obscures another
same as: interruption
An unexpected piece of good luck (synset 107331456)
"he finally got his big break"

is a type of: accident, chance event, fortuity, stroke - anything that happens suddenly or by chance without an apparent cause

same as: good luck, happy chance
(geology) a crack in the earth's crust resulting from the displacement of one side with respect to the other (synset 109301443)
"they built it right over a geological fault"; "he studied the faulting of the earth's crust"

referred to in: geology - a science that deals with the history of the earth as recorded in rocks

is a type of: cleft, crack, crevice, fissure, scissure - a long narrow opening
subtypes:
- inclined fault - a geological fault in which one side is above the other
- strike-slip fault - a geological fault in which one of the adjacent surfaces appears to have moved horizontally
specific instances:
- denali fault - a major open geological fault in Alaska
- san andreas fault - a major geological fault in California; runs from San Diego to San Francisco; the source of serious earthquakes
has: fault line - (geology) line determined by the intersection of a geological fault and the earth's surface

same as: fault, faulting, fracture, geological fault, shift
A personal or social separation (as between opposing factions) (synset 107328414)
"they hoped to avoid a break in relations"

is a type of: breakup, detachment, separation - coming apart

subtypes: schism - the formal separation of a church into two churches or the withdrawal of one group over doctrinal differences

same as: breach, falling out, rift, rupture, severance
A pause from doing something (as work) (synset 101064921)
"we took a 10-minute break"; "he took time out to recuperate"

is a type of: pause - temporary inactivity

subtypes: spring break - a week or more of recess during the spring term at school

same as: recess, respite, time out
The act of breaking something (synset 100377208)
"the breakage was unavoidable"

is a type of: change of integrity - the act of changing the unity or wholeness of something
subtypes:
- rupture - the act of making a sudden noisy break
- shattering, smashing - the act of breaking something into small pieces
- crack, cracking, fracture - the act of cracking something
- chip, chipping, splintering - the act of chipping something
same as: breakage, breaking
A time interval during which there is a temporary cessation of something (synset 115295994)
is a type of: interval, time interval - a definite length of time marked off by two instants
subtypes:
- lapse - a break or intermission in the occurrence of something
- blackout - a suspension of radio or tv broadcasting
- caesura - a pause or interruption (as in a conversation)
- dead air - an inadvertent interruption in a broadcast during which there is no sound
- delay, hold, postponement, time lag, wait - time during which some action is awaited
- halftime - an intermission between the first and second half of a game
- relief, respite, rest, rest period - a pause for relaxation
- time-out - a brief suspension of play
- letup, lull - a pause during which things are calm or activities are diminished
same as: intermission, interruption, pause, suspension
Breaking of hard tissue such as bone (synset 114315592)
"it was a nasty fracture"; "the break seems to have been caused by a fall"

is a type of: harm, hurt, injury, trauma - any physical damage to the body caused by violence or accident or fracture etc.
subtypes:
- comminuted fracture - fracture in which the bone is splintered or crushed
- complete fracture - break involving the entire width of the bone
- compound fracture, open fracture - bone fracture associated with lacerated soft tissue or an open wound
- compression fracture - fracture in which the bone collapses (especially in short bones such as vertebrae)
- depressed fracture - fracture of the skull where the bone is pushed in
- displaced fracture - fracture in which the two ends of the broken bone are separated from one another
- fatigue fracture, stress fracture - fracture resulting from excessive activity rather than a specific injury
- capillary fracture, hairline fracture - a fracture without separation of the fragments and the line of the break being very thin
- incomplete fracture - fracture that does not go across the entire width of the bone
- impacted fracture - fracture in which one broken end is wedged into the other broken end
- closed fracture, simple fracture - an uncomplicated fracture in which the broken bones to not pierce the skin
same as: fracture
The occurrence of breaking (synset 107382148)
"the break in the dam threatened the valley"

is a type of: breakup, detachment, separation - coming apart

subtypes: snap - a sudden breaking
An abrupt change in the tone or register of the voice (as at puberty or due to emotion) (synset 107312251)
"then there was a break in her voice"

is a type of: alteration, change, modification - an event that occurs when something passes from one state or phase to another
The opening shot that scatters the balls in billiards or pool (synset 100501291)
is a type of: shot, stroke - (sports) the act of swinging or striking at a ball with a club or racket or bat or cue or hand
is a part of:
- billiards - any of several games played on rectangular cloth-covered table (with cushioned edges) in which long tapering cue sticks are used to propel ivory (or composition) balls
- pocket billiards, pool - any of various games played on a pool table having 6 pockets
(tennis) a score consisting of winning a game when your opponent was serving (synset 100483903)
"he was up two breaks in the second set"

referred to in: lawn tennis, tennis - a game played with rackets by two or four players who hit a ball back and forth over a net that divides the court

is a type of: score - the act of scoring in a game or sport

same as: break of serve
An act of delaying or interrupting the continuity (synset 100384760)
"it was presented without commercial breaks"; "there was a gap in his account"

is a type of: delay, holdup - the act of delaying; inactivity resulting in something being put off until a later time
subtypes:
- cut-in, insert - (film) a still picture that is introduced and that interrupts the action of a film
- cut-in, insert - (broadcasting) a local announcement inserted into a network program
- interjection, interpellation, interpolation, interposition - the action of interjecting or interposing an action or remark that interrupts
- abruption, breaking off - an instance of sudden interruption
- barracking, heckling - shouting to interrupt a speech with which you disagree
same as: disruption, gap, interruption
A sudden dash (synset 100295592)
"he made a break for the open door"

is a type of: dash, sprint - a quick run

subtypes: fast break - (basketball) a rapid dash to get a shot as soon as possible after taking possession of the ball
Any frame in which a bowler fails to make a strike or spare (synset 100188856)
"the break in the eighth frame cost him the match"

is a type of: score - the act of scoring in a game or sport

same as: open frame
An escape from jail (synset 100060809)
"the breakout was carefully planned"

is a type of: escape, flight - the act of escaping physically

same as: breakout, gaolbreak, jailbreak, prison-breaking, prisonbreak

Verb

Terminate (synset 200364717)
"She interrupted her pregnancy"; "break a lucky streak"; "break the cycle of poverty"

is a type of: end, terminate - bring to an end or halt
subtypes:
- hold on, stop - stop and wait, as if awaiting further instructions or developments
- break off, break short, cut short - interrupt before its natural or planned end
- freeze, suspend - stop a process or a habit by imposing a freeze on it
same as: interrupt
Become separated into pieces or fragments (synset 200334996)
"The figurine broke"; "The freshly baked loaf fell apart"

is a type of: change integrity - change in physical make-up
subtypes:
- break open, burst, split - come open suddenly and violently, as if from internal pressure
- puncture - be pierced or punctured
- burst, bust - break open or apart suddenly and forcefully
- smash - break suddenly into pieces, as from a violent blow
- ladder, run - come unraveled or undone as if by snagging
- crack, snap - break suddenly and abruptly, as under tension
- break up, fragment, fragmentise, fragmentize - break or cause to break into pieces
- crush - become injured, broken, or distorted by pressure
same as: come apart, fall apart, separate, split up

verb group: break - destroy the integrity of; usually by force; cause to separate into pieces or fragments
Render inoperable or ineffective (synset 200259551)
"You broke the alarm clock when you took it apart!"

is a type of: damage - inflict damage upon

verb group: break, break down, conk out, die, fail, give out, give way, go, go bad - stop operating or functioning
Ruin completely (synset 201372423)
"He busted my radio!"

causes: break, bust, fall apart, wear, wear out - go to pieces

is a type of: destroy, ruin - destroy completely; damage irreparably

subtypes: break down - cause to fall or collapse

same as: bust

verb group: break, bust, fall apart, wear, wear out - go to pieces
Destroy the integrity of;
Usually by force;
Cause to separate into pieces or fragments (synset 200335806)
"He broke the glass plate"; "She broke the match"

is a type of: divide, separate - make a division or separation
subtypes:
- shatter - cause to break into many pieces
- fracture - break into pieces
- break in - break so as to fall inward
- dash, smash - break into pieces, as by striking or knocking over
verb group: break, come apart, fall apart, separate, split up - become separated into pieces or fragments
Act in disregard of laws, rules, contracts, or promises (synset 202572443)
"offend all laws of humanity"; "violate the basic laws or human civilization"; "break a law"; "break a promise"

is a type of: disrespect - show a lack of respect for
subtypes:
- sin, transgress, trespass - commit a sin; violate a law of God or a moral law
- blunder, boob, drop the ball, goof, sin - commit a faux pas or a fault or make a serious mistake
- conflict, contravene, infringe, run afoul - go against, as of rules and laws
- trespass - break the law
- intrude, trespass - enter unlawfully on someone's property
same as: breach, go against, infract, offend, transgress, violate
Move away or escape suddenly (synset 202077161)
"The horses broke from the stable"; "Three inmates broke jail"; "Nobody can break out--this prison is high security"

is a type of: break loose, escape, get away - run away from confinement

same as: break away, break out

verb group: break - make a rupture in the ranks of the enemy or one's own by quitting or fleeing
Scatter or part (synset 202033214)
"The clouds broke after the heavy downpour"

is a type of: disperse, dissipate, scatter, spread out - move away from each other
Force out or release suddenly and often violently something pent up (synset 201789214)
"break into tears"; "erupt in anger"

is a type of: express emotion, express feelings - give verbal or other expression to one's feelings

same as: burst, erupt
Prevent completion (synset 200363001)
"stop the project"; "break off the negotiations"

is a type of: end, terminate - bring to an end or halt
subtypes:
- fracture - become fractured
- bog, bog down - get stuck while doing something
- break up, cut off, disrupt, interrupt - make a break in
same as: break off, discontinue, stop
Enter someone's (virtual or real) property in an unauthorized manner, usually with the intent to steal or commit a violent act (synset 202576599)
"Someone broke in while I was on vacation"; "They broke into my car and stole my radio!"; "who broke into my account last night?"

is a type of: intrude, trespass - enter unlawfully on someone's property

subtypes: crack - gain unauthorized access computers with malicious intentions

same as: break in
Make submissive, obedient, or useful (synset 200202933)
"The horse was tough to break"; "I broke in the new intern"

causes: break - be broken in

is a type of: domesticate, domesticise, domesticize, reclaim, tame - overcome the wildness of; make docile and tractable

same as: break in

verb group: break - be broken in
Fail to agree with;
Be in violation of;
As of rules or patterns (synset 202674312)
"This sentence violates the rules of syntax"

subtypes: fly in the face of, fly in the teeth of - go against

same as: go against, violate
Surpass in excellence (synset 201109275)
"She bettered her own record"; "break a record"

is a type of: exceed, outdo, outgo, outmatch, outperform, outstrip, surmount, surpass - be or do something to a greater degree

same as: better
Make known to the public information that was previously known only to a few people or that was meant to be kept a secret (synset 200935783)
"The auction house would not disclose the price at which the van Gogh had sold"; "The actress won't reveal how old she is"; "bring out the truth"; "he broke the news to her"; "unwrap the evidence in the murder case"; "The newspaper uncovered the President's illegal dealings"

causes: break, get around, get out - be released or become known; of news

is a type of: tell - let something be known
subtypes:
- blackwash - bring (information) out of concealment
- muckrake - explore and expose misconduct and scandals concerning public figures
- blow - cause to be revealed and jeopardized
- out - reveal (something) about somebody's identity or lifestyle
- come out, come out of the closet, out - to state openly and publicly one's homosexuality
- spring - produce or disclose suddenly or unexpectedly
- betray, bewray - reveal unintentionally
- confide - reveal in private; tell confidentially
- leak - tell anonymously
- babble, babble out, blab, blab out, let the cat out of the bag, peach, sing, spill the beans, talk, tattle - divulge confidential information or secrets
- reveal - disclose directly or through prophets
same as: bring out, disclose, discover, divulge, expose, give away, let on, let out, reveal, uncover, unwrap

verb group: break, get around, get out - be released or become known; of news
Come into being (synset 200559613)
"light broke over the horizon"; "Voices broke in the air"

is a type of: become, get, go - enter or assume a certain state or condition
Stop operating or functioning (synset 200435327)
"The engine finally went"; "The car died on the road"; "The bus we travelled in broke down on the way to town"; "The coffee maker broke"; "The engine failed on the way to town"; "her eyesight went after the accident"

is a type of: change - undergo a change; become different in essence; losing one's or its original nature
subtypes:
- crash, go down - stop operating
- blow, blow out, burn out - melt, break, or become otherwise unusable
- misfire - fail to fire or detonate
- malfunction, misfunction - fail to function or function improperly
same as: break down, conk out, die, fail, give out, give way, go, go bad
verb group:
- break - render inoperable or ineffective
- buy the farm, cash in one's chips, choke, conk, croak, decease, die, drop dead, exit, expire, give-up the ghost, go, kick the bucket, pass, pass away, perish, pop off, snuff it - pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life
Interrupt a continued activity (synset 202541382)
"She had broken with the traditional patterns"

is a type of: break, break up, part, separate, split, split up - discontinue an association or relation; go different ways

same as: break away
Make a rupture in the ranks of the enemy or one's own by quitting or fleeing (synset 202034609)
"The ranks broke"

referred to in: armed forces, armed services, military, military machine, war machine - the military forces of a nation

is a type of: flee, fly, take flight - run away quickly

verb group: break, break away, break out - move away or escape suddenly
Curl over and fall apart in surf or foam, of waves (synset 201976990)
"The surf broke"

is a type of: break, cave in, collapse, fall in, founder, give, give way - break down, literally or metaphorically
Lessen in force or effect (synset 200390886)
"soften a shock"; "break a fall"

is a type of: blunt, deaden - make less lively, intense, or vigorous; impair in vigor, force, activity, or sensation
subtypes:
- deafen - make soundproof
- damp, dampen, deaden - make vague or obscure or make (an image) less visible
same as: damp, dampen, soften, weaken
Be broken in (synset 200203148)
"If the new teacher won't break, we'll add some stress"

is a type of: change - undergo a change; become different in essence; losing one's or its original nature

verb group: break, break in - make submissive, obedient, or useful
Come to an end (synset 202752492)
"The heat wave finally broke yesterday"

is a type of: cease, end, finish, stop, terminate - have an end, in a temporal, spatial, or quantitative sense; either spatial or metaphorical
Vary or interrupt a uniformity or continuity (synset 202752324)
"The flat plain was broken by tall mesas"

is a type of: alter, change, vary - become different in some particular way, without permanently losing one's or its former characteristics or essence
Cause to give up a habit (synset 202687449)
"She finally broke herself of smoking cigarettes"

causes: break - give up

verb group: break - give up
Give up (synset 202687334)
"break cigarette smoking"

is a type of: cease, discontinue, give up, lay off, quit, stop - put an end to a state or an activity

verb group: break - cause to give up a habit
Come forth or begin from a state of latency (synset 202631268)
"The first winter storm broke over New York"

is a type of: come forth, emerge - happen or occur as a result of something
Happen or take place (synset 202606079)
"Things have been breaking pretty well for us in the past few months"

domain usage: colloquialism - a colloquial expression; characteristic of spoken or written communication that seeks to imitate informal speech

is a type of: come about, fall out, go on, hap, happen, occur, pass, pass off, take place - come to pass
Cause the failure or ruin of (synset 202565221)
"His peccadilloes finally broke his marriage"; "This play will either make or break the playwright"

is a type of: ruin - destroy or cause to fail
Invalidate by judicial action (synset 202484058)
"The will was broken"

is a type of: annul, avoid, invalidate, nullify, quash, void - declare invalid
Discontinue an association or relation;
Go different ways (synset 202436167)
"The business partners broke over a tax question"; "The couple separated after 25 years of marriage"; "My friend and I split up"
subtypes:
- give the axe, give the bounce, give the gate - terminate a relationship abruptly
- break apart, disunify - break up or separate
- disassociate, disjoint, dissociate, disunite, divorce - part; cease or break association with
- break with - end a relationship
- divorce, split up - get a divorce; formally terminate a marriage
- break away, secede, splinter - withdraw from an organization or communion
- break, break away - interrupt a continued activity
same as: break up, part, separate, split, split up
Assign to a lower position;
Reduce in rank (synset 202404473)
"She was demoted because she always speaks up"; "He was broken down to Sergeant"

is a type of: assign, delegate, depute, designate - give an assignment to (a person) to a post, or assign a task to (a person)
subtypes:
- sideline - remove from the center of activity or attention; place into an inferior position
- reduce - bring to humbler or weaker state or condition
same as: bump, demote, kick downstairs, relegate
Reduce to bankruptcy (synset 202323145)
"My daughter's fancy wedding is going to break me!"; "The slump in the financial markets smashed him"

is a type of: impoverish - make poor

same as: bankrupt, ruin, smash
Change directions suddenly (synset 202105651)
is a type of: change, shift, switch - lay aside, abandon, or leave for another
Emerge from the surface of a body of water (synset 201995361)
"The whales broke"

is a type of: appear - come into sight or view
Break down, literally or metaphorically (synset 201993067)
"The wall collapsed"; "The business collapsed"; "The dam broke"; "The roof collapsed"; "The wall gave in"; "The roof finally gave under the weight of the ice"

is a type of: change - undergo a change; become different in essence; losing one's or its original nature
subtypes:
- go off, implode - burst inward
- buckle, crumple - fold or collapse
- flop - fall loosely
- break - curl over and fall apart in surf or foam, of waves
- sink, slide down, slump - fall or sink heavily
same as: cave in, collapse, fall in, founder, give, give way
verb group:
- abandon, give up - stop maintaining or insisting on; of ideas or claims
- burst, collapse - cause to burst
Do a break dance (synset 201900477)
"Kids were break-dancing at the street corner"

is a type of: dance, trip the light fantastic, trip the light fantastic toe - move in a pattern; usually to musical accompaniment; do or perform a dance

same as: break dance, break-dance
Exchange for smaller units of money (synset 201613570)
"I had to break a $100 bill just to buy the candy"

is a type of: change, commute, convert, exchange - exchange or replace with another, usually of the same kind or category

verb group: break, break up - destroy the completeness of a set of related items
Destroy the completeness of a set of related items (synset 201613367)
"The book dealer would not break the set"

is a type of: alter, change, modify - cause to change; make different; cause a transformation

same as: break up

verb group: break - exchange for smaller units of money
Make the opening shot that scatters the balls (synset 201600916)
referred to in: billiards - any of several games played on rectangular cloth-covered table (with cushioned edges) in which long tapering cue sticks are used to propel ivory (or composition) balls

is a type of: shoot - throw or propel in a specific direction or towards a specific objective
Separate from a clinch, in boxing (synset 201560428)
"The referee broke the boxers"

is a type of: disunite, divide, part, separate - force, take, or pull apart
Go to pieces (synset 201372011)
"The lawn mower finally broke"; "The gears wore out"; "The old chair finally fell apart completely"

is a type of: crumble, decay, dilapidate - fall into decay or ruin

subtypes: fray, frazzle - wear away by rubbing

same as: bust, fall apart, wear, wear out

verb group: break, bust - ruin completely
Break a piece from a whole (synset 201301517)
"break a branch from a tree"

is a type of: detach - cause to become detached or separated; take off

same as: break off, snap off
Become punctured or penetrated (synset 201231088)
"The skin broke"

verb group: break - pierce or penetrate
Pierce or penetrate (synset 201230960)
"The blade broke her skin"

is a type of: penetrate, perforate - pass into or through, often by overcoming resistance

verb group: break - become punctured or penetrated
Be released or become known;
Of news (synset 200938019)
"News of her death broke in the morning"

subtypes: leak, leak out - be leaked

same as: get around, get out

verb group: break, bring out, disclose, discover, divulge, expose, give away, let on, let out, reveal, uncover, unwrap - make known to the public information that was previously known only to a few people or that was meant to be kept a secret
Cease an action temporarily (synset 200781106)
"We pause for station identification"; "let's break for lunch"

is a type of: break up, cut off, disrupt, interrupt - make a break in
subtypes:
- breathe, catch one's breath, rest, take a breather - take a short break from one's activities in order to relax
- take five - take a break for five minutes
- take ten - take a ten minute break
same as: intermit, pause
Interrupt the flow of current in (synset 200780790)
"break a circuit"

is a type of: break up, cut off, disrupt, interrupt - make a break in
Undergo breaking (synset 200746425)
"The simple vowels broke in many Germanic languages"

is a type of: diphthongise, diphthongize - change from a simple vowel to a diphthong
Find a flaw in (synset 200740445)
"break an alibi"; "break down a proof"

is a type of: destroy, ruin - destroy completely; damage irreparably

verb group: break - find the solution or key to
Find the solution or key to (synset 200740319)
"break the code"

is a type of: figure out, lick, puzzle out, solve, work, work out - find the solution to (a problem or question) or understand the meaning of

verb group: break - find a flaw in
Change suddenly from one tone quality or register to another (synset 200552489)
"Her voice broke to a whisper when she started to talk about her children"

is a type of: change, shift, switch - lay aside, abandon, or leave for another
Happen (synset 200340274)
"Report the news as it develops"; "These political movements recrudesce from time to time"

is a type of: come about, fall out, go on, hap, happen, occur, pass, pass off, take place - come to pass

same as: develop, recrudesce

verb group: develop - be gradually disclosed or unfolded; become manifest
Become fractured;
Break or crack on the surface only (synset 200337070)
"The glass cracked when it was heated"

is a type of: change - undergo a change; become different in essence; losing one's or its original nature

subtypes: crack - break partially but keep its integrity

same as: check, crack
verb group:
- check, chink - make cracks or chinks in
- crack - cause to become cracked
Crack;
Of the male voice in puberty (synset 200259252)
"his voice is breaking--he should no longer sing in the choir"

is a type of: change state, turn - undergo a transformation or a change of position or action
Fall sharply (synset 200154854)
"stock prices broke"

is a type of: decrease, diminish, fall, lessen - decrease in size, extent, or range
Fracture a bone of (synset 200107543)
"I broke my foot while playing hockey"

is a type of: injure, wound - cause injuries or bodily harm to

same as: fracture

verb group: fracture - break (a bone)
Diminish or discontinue abruptly (synset 200107408)
"The patient's fever broke last night"

is a type of: decrease, diminish, fall, lessen - decrease in size, extent, or range
Weaken or destroy in spirit or body (synset 200030456)
"His resistance was broken"; "a man broken by the terrible experience of near-death"

is a type of: weaken - lessen the strength of

break

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