Definition (noun) some abrupt occurrence that interrupts an ongoing activity
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the telephone is an annoying interruption
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there was a break in the action when a player was hurt
Definition (noun) an unexpected piece of good luck
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he finally got his big break
Definition (noun) (geology) a crack in the earth's crust resulting from the displacement of one side with respect to the other
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they built it right over a geological fault
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he studied the faulting of the earth's crust
Definition (noun) a personal or social separation (as between opposing factions)
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they hoped to avoid a break in relations
Definition (noun) a pause from doing something (as work)
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we took a 10-minute break
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he took time out to recuperate
Definition (noun) the act of breaking something
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the breakage was unavoidable
Definition (noun) a time interval during which there is a temporary cessation of something
Definition (noun) breaking of hard tissue such as bone
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it was a nasty fracture
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the break seems to have been caused by a fall
Definition (noun) the occurrence of breaking
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the break in the dam threatened the valley
Definition (noun) an abrupt change in the tone or register of the voice (as at puberty or due to emotion)
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then there was a break in her voice
Definition (noun) the opening shot that scatters the balls in billiards or pool
Definition (noun) (tennis) a score consisting of winning a game when your opponent was serving
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he was up two breaks in the second set
Definition (noun) an act of delaying or interrupting the continuity
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it was presented without commercial breaks
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there was a gap in his account
Definition (noun) a sudden dash
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he made a break for the open door
Definition (noun) any frame in which a bowler fails to make a strike or spare
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the break in the eighth frame cost him the match
Definition (noun) an escape from jail
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the breakout was carefully planned
Definition (verb) terminate
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She interrupted her pregnancy
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break a lucky streak
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break the cycle of poverty
Definition (verb) become separated into pieces or fragments
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The figurine broke
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The freshly baked loaf fell apart
Definition (verb) render inoperable or ineffective
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You broke the alarm clock when you took it apart!
Definition (verb) ruin completely
Definition (verb) destroy the integrity of; usually by force; cause to separate into pieces or fragments
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He broke the glass plate
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She broke the match
Definition (verb) act in disregard of laws, rules, contracts, or promises
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offend all laws of humanity
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violate the basic laws or human civilization
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break a law
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break a promise
Definition (verb) move away or escape suddenly
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The horses broke from the stable
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Three inmates broke jail
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Nobody can break out--this prison is high security
Definition (verb) scatter or part
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The clouds broke after the heavy downpour
Definition (verb) force out or release suddenly and often violently something pent up
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break into tears
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erupt in anger
Definition (verb) prevent completion
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stop the project
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break off the negotiations
Definition (verb) enter someone's (virtual or real) property in an unauthorized manner, usually with the intent to steal or commit a violent act
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Someone broke in while I was on vacation
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They broke into my car and stole my radio!
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who broke into my account last night?
Definition (verb) make submissive, obedient, or useful
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The horse was tough to break
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I broke in the new intern
Definition (verb) fail to agree with; be in violation of; as of rules or patterns
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This sentence violates the rules of syntax
Definition (verb) surpass in excellence
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She bettered her own record
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break a record
Definition (verb) make known to the public information that was previously known only to a few people or that was meant to be kept a secret
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The auction house would not disclose the price at which the van Gogh had sold
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The actress won't reveal how old she is
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bring out the truth
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he broke the news to her
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unwrap the evidence in the murder case
Definition (verb) come into being
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light broke over the horizon
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Voices broke in the air
Definition (verb) stop operating or functioning
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The engine finally went
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The car died on the road
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The bus we travelled in broke down on the way to town
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The coffee maker broke
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The engine failed on the way to town
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her eyesight went after the accident
Definition (verb) interrupt a continued activity
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She had broken with the traditional patterns
Definition (verb) make a rupture in the ranks of the enemy or one's own by quitting or fleeing
Definition (verb) curl over and fall apart in surf or foam, of waves
Definition (verb) lessen in force or effect
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soften a shock
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break a fall
Definition (verb) be broken in
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If the new teacher won't break, we'll add some stress
Definition (verb) come to an end
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The heat wave finally broke yesterday
Definition (verb) vary or interrupt a uniformity or continuity
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The flat plain was broken by tall mesas
Definition (verb) cause to give up a habit
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She finally broke herself of smoking cigarettes
Definition (verb) give up
Definition (verb) come forth or begin from a state of latency
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The first winter storm broke over New York
Definition (verb) happen or take place
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Things have been breaking pretty well for us in the past few months
Definition (verb) cause the failure or ruin of
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His peccadilloes finally broke his marriage
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This play will either make or break the playwright
Definition (verb) invalidate by judicial action
Definition (verb) discontinue an association or relation; go different ways
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The business partners broke over a tax question
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The couple separated after 25 years of marriage
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My friend and I split up
Definition (verb) assign to a lower position; reduce in rank
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She was demoted because she always speaks up
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He was broken down to Sergeant
Definition (verb) reduce to bankruptcy
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My daughter's fancy wedding is going to break me!
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The slump in the financial markets smashed him
Definition (verb) change directions suddenly
Definition (verb) emerge from the surface of a body of water
Definition (verb) break down, literally or metaphorically
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The wall collapsed
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The business collapsed
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The dam broke
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The roof collapsed
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The wall gave in
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The roof finally gave under the weight of the ice
Definition (verb) do a break dance
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Kids were break-dancing at the street corner
Definition (verb) exchange for smaller units of money
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I had to break a $100 bill just to buy the candy
Definition (verb) destroy the completeness of a set of related items
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The book dealer would not break the set
Definition (verb) make the opening shot that scatters the balls
Definition (verb) separate from a clinch, in boxing
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The referee broke the boxers
Definition (verb) go to pieces
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The lawn mower finally broke
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The gears wore out
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The old chair finally fell apart completely
Definition (verb) break a piece from a whole
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break a branch from a tree
Definition (verb) become punctured or penetrated
Definition (verb) pierce or penetrate
Definition (verb) be released or become known; of news
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News of her death broke in the morning
Definition (verb) cease an action temporarily
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We pause for station identification
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let's break for lunch
Definition (verb) interrupt the flow of current in
Definition (verb) undergo breaking
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The simple vowels broke in many Germanic languages
Definition (verb) find a flaw in
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break an alibi
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break down a proof
Definition (verb) find the solution or key to
Definition (verb) change suddenly from one tone quality or register to another
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Her voice broke to a whisper when she started to talk about her children
Definition (verb) happen
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Report the news as it develops
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These political movements recrudesce from time to time
Definition (verb) become fractured; break or crack on the surface only
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The glass cracked when it was heated
Definition (verb) crack; of the male voice in puberty
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his voice is breaking--he should no longer sing in the choir
Definition (verb) fall sharply
Definition (verb) fracture a bone of
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I broke my foot while playing hockey
Definition (verb) diminish or discontinue abruptly
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The patient's fever broke last night
Definition (verb) weaken or destroy in spirit or body
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His resistance was broken
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a man broken by the terrible experience of near-death