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Antonyms for break down


Grammar : Verb
Spell : breyk
Phonetic Transcription : breɪk



Definition of break down

Origin :
  • Old English brecan "to break, shatter, burst; injure, violate, destroy, curtail; break into, rush into; burst forth, spring out; subdue, tame" (class IV strong verb; past tense bræc, past participle brocen), from Proto-Germanic *brekan (cf. Old Frisian breka, Dutch breken, Old High German brehhan, German brechen, Gothic brikan), from PIE root *bhreg- "to break" (see fraction). Most modern senses were in Old English. In reference to the heart from early 13c. Meaning "to disclose" is from early 13c.
  • Break bread "share food" (with) is from late 14c. Break the ice is c.1600, in reference to the "coldness" of encounters of strangers. Break wind first attested 1550s. To break (something) out (1890s) probably is an image from dock work, of freeing cargo before unloading it. Ironic theatrical good luck formula break a leg has parallels in German Hals- und Beinbruch "break your neck and leg," and Italian in bocca al lupo. Evidence of a highly superstitious craft (cf. Macbeth).
  • As in inculcate : verb implant, infuse information
  • As in indoctrinate : verb brainwash
  • As in misfire : verb fail
  • As in perish : verb die, decline, decay
  • As in putrefy : verb rot
  • As in raze : verb flatten, knock down; wipe out
  • As in resolve : verb make up one's mind; find solution
  • As in rot : verb corrode, deteriorate
  • As in simplify : verb make easy, intelligible
  • As in sob : verb cry hard
  • As in spell out : verb clarify, explain
  • As in spoil : verb decay, turn bad
  • As in succumb : verb die or surrender
  • As in taint : verb dirty, contaminate; ruin
  • As in turn : verb become sour or tainted
  • As in weep : verb cry
  • As in wilt : verb sag, fail
  • As in choke up : verb be overcome with emotion
  • As in fall apart : verb disintegrate
  • As in act up (malfunction) : verb to malfunction
  • As in molder : verb decay
  • As in anatomize : verb analyze
  • As in fragmentize : verb break
  • As in miscarry : verb fail to attain goal
  • As in clarify : verb explain, make clear
  • As in classify : verb categorize
  • As in propagandize : verb indoctrinate
  • As in come unglued : verb lose one's cool
  • As in crack : verb lose self-control
  • As in crumple : verb make or become wrinkled
  • As in cry : verb weep and make sad sounds
  • As in decipher : verb figure out, understand
  • As in decompose : verb rot, break up
  • As in decompose : verb analyze by taking apart
  • As in destroy : verb demolish, devastate
  • As in die : verb wither, dwindle
  • As in disintegrate : verb fall apart; reduce to pieces
  • As in dismantle : verb take apart
  • As in disorganize : verb disrupt arrangement; make shambles of
  • As in dissect : verb analyze
  • As in dissolve : verb disappear, disintegrate
  • As in divide : verb separate, disconnect
  • As in explain : verb make clear; give a reason for
  • As in fail : verb be unsuccessful
  • As in fall : verb descend; become lower
  • As in founder : verb go under, fail
  • As in freak out : verb lose control
Example sentences :
  • I am haunted by the thought that my car may break down when I have a load of wounded.
  • Extract from : « Ballads of a Bohemian » by Robert W. Service
  • I realize it more and more every day, but I will stick it out till I break down.
  • Extract from : « Ballads of a Bohemian » by Robert W. Service
  • There is a refuge for him, a defence, a safeguard which no material attack can break down.
  • Extract from : « The Conquest of Fear » by Basil King
  • It would not do for her to break down while he was locked up?
  • Extract from : « The Secret Agent » by Joseph Conrad
  • Yet it seemed to her that now, at last, she might break down and cry.
  • Extract from : « Tiverton Tales » by Alice Brown
  • Go outside and fetch a little brandy, or I foresee that you'll break down.'
  • Extract from : « Little Dorrit » by Charles Dickens
  • I am not going to break down; but—but there is a photograph of Rogie when he was very small—'
  • Extract from : « Echoes of the War » by J. M. Barrie
  • I break down before the knowledge of what I want to say to you.
  • Extract from : « A Tale of Two Cities » by Charles Dickens
  • We may not be able to see through the lead curtains, but we can break down the door.
  • Extract from : « Slaves of Mercury » by Nat Schachner
  • She dared not speak, knowing that if she made the attempt she must break down.
  • Extract from : « Wilfrid Cumbermede » by George MacDonald

Synonyms for break down

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019