breaking

present participle of break
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as in reducing
to bring to a lower grade or rank the captain was broken to lieutenant commander for disobeying a direct order from his group commander

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4
as in deciphering
to change (as a secret message) from code into ordinary language Alan Turing and the Bletchley Park mathematicians broke the Enigma code being used by the Nazis

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as in plowing
to cut into and turn over the sod of (a piece of land) using a bladed implement farmers once broke fields with horse-drawn plows

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as in dying
to stop functioning after working for 30 years, the pump simply broke one day

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as in bankrupting
to cause to lose one's fortune and become unable to pay one's debts another bad investment could break him

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as in surfacing
to penetrate the surface (as of water) from below dolphins were breaking all around the boat

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Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of breaking Without breaking stride, Hunter blew past four more Utah defenders and hopped into the end zone, a broken play transformed into a work of art. Sean Keeler, The Denver Post, 16 Nov. 2024 Lacking a tie-breaking vote could delay action at the FTC, such as when the commission was divided over 7-Eleven’s $21 billion purchase of Speedway stores in 2021. William Gavin, Quartz, 14 Nov. 2024 Rebecca Cohen Rebecca Cohen is a breaking news reporter for NBC News Digital. Rebecca Cohen, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2024 Minyvonne Burke Minyvonne Burke is a senior breaking news reporter for NBC News. Minyvonne Burke, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2024 Antonio Planas Antonio Planas is a breaking news reporter for NBC News Digital. Antonio Planas, NBC News, 4 Oct. 2024 In addition to editing content, Alex also covers breaking news, writing about crime and severe weather as well as everything from multistate lottery jackpots to the July Fourth hot dog eating contest. Alex Sundby, CBS News, 4 Oct. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for breaking
Verb
  • Both the Russian and Ukrainian militaries have successfully achieved standoff through the use of artillery firepower coupled with drone strikes, effectively disrupting their adversary’s offensive operations.
    Vikram Mittal, Forbes, 3 Oct. 2024
  • Russian shelling has severely damaged two water facilities in northern Donetsk, disrupting the water supply for about 260,000 residents.
    Katya Soldak, Forbes, 3 Oct. 2024
Verb
  • According to the Latin Recording Academy, more than 30 artists took the stage to deliver show-stopping tributes honoring the memories of key figures who made great contributions to Latin music.
    Nicole Acevedo, NBC News, 15 Nov. 2024
  • Opposing productivity means stopping progress.
    William Dunkelberg, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2024
Verb
  • In addition to reducing the barriers between interior and exterior environments, C’s design also blurs the segregation of decks.
    Bill Springer, Forbes, 4 Oct. 2024
  • Automated Back-Office Operations AI uses advanced analytics and machine learning to add efficiency to back-office operations, increasing productivity and reducing costs.
    Babu Sivadasan, Forbes, 4 Oct. 2024
Verb
  • Angel City also received a $20,000 cash fine, plus a loss of $20,000 in unfunded allocation money, in 2021 for violating the NWSL’s tampering policy regarding then-Gotham player Allie Long.
    Dan Bernstein, Sportico.com, 4 Oct. 2024
  • Haley was acquitted of violating Nichols’ civil rights causing death, but convicted of the lesser charge of violating his civil rights causing bodily injury.
    Adrian Sainz, TIME, 4 Oct. 2024
Verb
  • Commissioning research, sponsoring events or partnering with industry experts to discuss these topics can demonstrate that your organization is actively engaged in solving your customers’ challenges.
    Barry Reicherter, Forbes, 4 Oct. 2024
  • This shifts the conversation from a simple product pitch to a discussion about solving real business problems through technology.
    Barry Reicherter, Forbes, 4 Oct. 2024
Verb
  • Within three years of leaving a state youth prison, four in 10 return to either the juvenile or adult prison system and those who don't return to prison face a higher likelihood of dying an early death.
    Laura A. Bischoff, The Enquirer, 21 Oct. 2024
  • In a large population like the United States, the number of babies being born and dying each month tends to be stable, Singh said.
    Karen Kaplan, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2024
Verb
  • If using a fountain pen or retreating to a mountain house can make the cognitive load of producing text even somewhat more bearable, writers will consider it.
    Cal Newport, The New Yorker, 3 Oct. 2024
  • If Tehran opts not to retaliate, though, Iran will look weak and appear to be retreating from Israel.
    Dan De Luce, NBC News, 30 Sep. 2024
Verb
  • The state suspended her license because of a failure to meet standards of care while treating Covid patients and spreading vaccine misinformation; Children’s Health Defense livestreamed the proceedings.
    Brandy Zadrozny, NBC News, 13 Nov. 2024
  • Social media spreading misinformation only exacerbates the confusion on what filler can and can’t do.
    Audrey Noble, Vogue, 21 Oct. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near breaking

Cite this Entry

“Breaking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/breaking. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

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