break
verb (transitive)
UK/breɪk/US/breɪk/
to separate or cause something to separate into pieces; to interrupt or stop an activity; to violate a rule or agreement
Example Sentences
Be careful not to break the glass while washing the dishes.
They decided to break their journey with a quick rest stop.
He had to break the bad news gently to his family.
Please don’t break the rules, or there will be consequences.
We can break for lunch at noon and resume our meeting afterward.
If you continue pushing the machine too hard, you might break it.
Despite working long hours without rest, the team was finally forced to break their exhausting routine, realizing that taking short, regular pauses was essential for sustained productivity and mental well-being.
When she realized her friend was in danger, she didn’t hesitate to break away from the crowd and call for help, demonstrating both courage and quick thinking in a high-pressure situation.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
Antonyms
noun (countable)
UK/breɪk/US/breɪk/
a pause or interruption in an activity; a short period of rest; an opportunity or stroke of luck; a fracture or separation
Example Sentences
I usually take a short break in the afternoon to recharge.
Winter break lasts for two weeks in most schools.
She finally got her big break in the movie industry after years of auditions.
He took advantage of a break in the conversation to excuse himself.
My phone slipped out of my hand, and the screen now has a break in the corner.
After working non-stop for hours, everyone needed a break to clear their minds.
It’s important to schedule a regular break during work to rest your eyes and stretch your muscles, ensuring you maintain productivity and overall well-being throughout the day.
Although the weather looked threatening, we caught a lucky break between rainstorms, allowing us to quickly move the outdoor party under cover without drenching our guests and equipment.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
How to Use
To separate or interrupt something physically or figuratively, causing discontinuity.You can use “break” to signify stopping or splitting a process, object, or event. In daily life, you might break a glass by accident, physically shattering it. You could also break a habit, meaning you permanently interrupt or end it. In academic or work contexts, “break” may point to halting a meeting for rest—“We’ll take a five-minute break.” More metaphorically, “to break new ground” means pioneering a fresh idea or direction. Grammatically, be mindful of tense: “I break promises” (present), “He broke the vase” (simple past), “We have broken the record” (past participle). Whether you’re talking about physically snapping something, pausing an activity, or defying an old pattern, “break” conveys disruption in a variety of scenarios. Combine it with prepositions or phrases to be more precise—“break off negotiations,” “break down a concept,” or “break away from tradition.” In essence, “break” captures moments when continuity is interrupted or altered, whether literally or figuratively. By pairing it with clear context, you’ll show exactly what’s being split, stopped, or revolutionized and why it matters.
Alternatives
If you want synonyms or variations to avoid overusing “break,” consider several alternatives shaped by context. For instance, “snap” captures a sudden, forceful separation, often emphasizing a sharp sound. “Fracture” is slightly more formal, implying cracks or splits in objects or relationships, like “fracturing an alliance.” If you need to convey interruption of an ongoing process, “halt” or “pause” highlights the stoppage of momentum without necessarily shattering anything—like “halting production” or “pausing a video.” When speaking of routines or negative behaviors, “quit” or “overcome” can illustrate consciously stepping away. “Interrupt” emphasizes momentarily stopping a flow, while “disrupt” signals a broader disturbance in a system or group dynamic. In more figurative contexts—like “breaking ground”—you might choose “innovate” or “pioneer” to emphasize forging a new path. Each substitute can help you nail specific nuances: abruptness, force, finality, or creative reinvention. By choosing words that match your situation—be it a shattered plate or a broken habit—you keep your language colorful and concise while conveying a precise type of interruption or separation.
Writing
In more formal or structured writing, “break” can serve multiple functions but should be used carefully to avoid ambiguity. If you mean physically splitting an object—like “break a branch”—explain the cause or context: “High winds caused branches to break.” For interrupting a continuity—like a pause in a narrative—“break” can help transition: “We’ll break here to explore historical background.” In argumentative or expository prose, consider employing synonyms to maintain precision; for example, if you’re talking about stopping a trend, you might opt for “halt” or “discontinue.” If you need to highlight an innovative move—“break new ground”—make sure it’s clear what kind of innovation is happening. In business or academic settings, “break” can underscore critical turning points or radical changes: “The findings may break existing paradigms.” Whenever using “break,” remember to support it with context so readers understand what’s being separated or interrupted, how it happens, and why it’s notable. By balancing “break” with precise synonyms and clarifying background details, you preserve clarity, enhance fluency, and ensure that each instance reflects a deliberate shift in action, thought, or structure.
Casual Conversation
In everyday conversation, “break” surfaces in many ways, typically pointing to stopping something or causing it to snap. You might say, “I need a break,” meaning a short rest from a task, or “Don’t break your phone again!” to warn a clumsy friend. If you’re parting ways temporarily, “We’re taking a break from each other,” hints at stepping back for personal space, especially in relationships or friendships. “Break down” often covers both emotional overload—“I might break down if I keep pushing,”—and mechanical failures—“The car broke down on the highway.” “Break up” typically involves ending a relationship, while “break into” suggests entering somewhere, occasionally by force—like “Someone broke into my apartment.” These short phrases convey everyday disruptions or changes of course. Each variation retains the core idea of forcing an interruption or dividing something that was previously whole, whether it’s an object, a routine, or a partnership. Keeping your context obvious—like explaining why you need that break or how a device broke—helps folks around you quickly grasp the situation and respond with empathy, advice, or humor as needed.
Etymology
The verb “break” goes back to Old English “brecan,” which has roots in Proto-Germanic “*brekaną,” meaning “to fracture” or “to snap.” Early on, the sense was almost always physical—describing cracked objects or torn fabrics. Over centuries, the word’s range of meaning expanded into more abstract or figurative uses, such as “to break a rule” (violate) or “break free” (escape). By the Middle English period, English speakers often linked “break” to disruption in social agreements, emotional well-being, and routine actions. As everyday contexts changed, so did the word’s versatility: from physical fracturing to emotional breakdowns and strategic breakthroughs (“break through enemy lines”). The richness of its history highlights human reliance on describing changes to structure or continuity, whether it’s literal—like shattering glass—or conceptual—like breaking tradition. Today, “break” underpins countless phrases (“break in,” “break up,” “break down,” “break out”), each unveiling a nuance of interruption, separation, or transformation in daily life and language evolution.
