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