Definitions

break down

VERB

act up (malfunction)

Synonyms

WEAK

break conk out fail function go on the blink improperly jam malfunction not work stall stop running

Antonyms

WEAK

function properly

VERB

anatomize

Synonyms

STRONG

dissect evaluate examine inspect investigate scrutinize

WEAK

lay bare think through

Antonyms

STRONG

ignore

VERB

choke up

Synonyms

WEAK

become speechless cry weep

VERB

clarify

Synonyms

STRONGEST

analyze clear up define formulate interpret resolve simplify spell out

STRONG

delineate elucidate illuminate illustrate settle

WEAK

draw a picture make perfectly clear make plain shed light on straighten out throw light on

Antonyms

STRONGEST

complicate confuse question

STRONG

mix up obscure

WEAK

dirty muddle muddy

VERB

classify

Synonyms

STRONGEST

allocate analyze arrange distribute divide label organize segregate

STRONG

allot alphabetize assort brand catalogue class codify collocate coordinate correlate dispose distinguish docket embody file grade group incorporate index match name number order peg pigeonhole range rank rate regiment size sort systematize tabulate tag ticket type typecast

WEAK

button down put away put down as put down for rank out size up tab take one's measure

Antonyms

STRONGEST

collect combine disarrange disorder disorganize gather hold join keep maintain unite

STRONG

disallow disintegrate estimate exclude guess mix up scatter

VERB

come unglued

Synonyms

WEAK

come apart at the seams come unstuck come unwrapped disintegrate fall apart fall to bits fall to pieces go to pieces malfunction

VERB

crack

Synonyms

STRONGEST

collapse flip

STRONG

succumb yield

WEAK

become deranged become insane blow one's mind blow up bug out give way go bonkers go crazy go to pieces lose it

Antonyms

WEAK

be calm

VERB

crumple

Synonyms

STRONGEST

buckle crush scrunch

STRONG

collapse crease crimp crinkle fall fold pucker ruck rumple screw shrivel wad wrinkle

WEAK

cave in crimple give way go to pieces rimple

Antonyms

STRONG

flatten rise smooth straighten

VERB

cry

Synonyms

STRONGEST

bawl blubber boohoo grieve groan howl moan mourn sob wail weep

STRONG

bemoan bewail blub caterwaul keen lament snivel sorrow squall yowl

WEAK

burst into tears choke up dissolve in tears let go let it all out mewl shed bitter tears shed tears sigh turn on waterworks whimper whine

Antonyms

STRONGEST

laugh

STRONG

be happy crack up delight rejoice

VERB

decipher

Synonyms

STRONGEST

analyze decode deduce elucidate interpret solve translate unravel

STRONG

break cipher construe crack disentangle encipher explain expound read render reveal spell unfold

WEAK

bring out dope out find the key make clear make out puzzle out unriddle

Antonyms

STRONG

conceal confuse fix hide mend obscure suppress

WEAK

code encode scramble

VERB

decompose

Synonyms

STRONGEST

disintegrate dissolve

STRONG

anatomize atomize dissect distill resolve separate

WEAK

break up decompound

Antonyms

STRONGEST

unite

STRONG

join

WEAK

combine develop grow improve put together

VERB

decompose

Synonyms

STRONGEST

decay disintegrate dissolve fall apart molder

STRONG

crumble fester putrefy spoil taint turn

WEAK

putresce

Antonyms

STRONGEST

unite

WEAK

combine develop grow improve join put together

VERB

destroy

Synonyms

STRONGEST

consume crush damage dismantle end eradicate gut impair kill maim ravage raze ruin sabotage shatter smash smash-up wipe out wreck

STRONG

abort annihilate annul axe butcher cream deface desolate despoil dispatch erase exterminate extinguish extirpate level liquidate mar maraud mutilate nuke nullify overturn quash quell ravish slay suppress torpedo total trash vaporize waste wax zap

WEAK

blot out lay waste snuff out spoliate stamp out swallow up tear down

Antonyms

STRONGEST

aid assist bear begin build construct create fix give birth help lose mend repair start

STRONG

improve keep preserve retain save validate

WEAK

restore

VERB

die

Synonyms

STRONGEST

deteriorate disappear end expire fail fall pass stop vanish

STRONG

abate bate crumble decay decline degenerate dilapidate diminish droop ebb fade halt lapse moderate molder rankle recede retrograde rot sink slacken subside wane weaken wilt

WEAK

ease off fade away fade out fizzle out go bad go downhill let up lose power melt away peter out run down run low run out wear away

Antonyms

STRONGEST

advance appear arrive bear begin commence reach start win

STRONG

build continue develop enhance enlarge extend flourish forge forward grow improve increase prolong rise strengthen

WEAK

be born live

VERB

disintegrate

Synonyms

STRONGEST

break up come apart crumble decay decompose degenerate descend disband dismantle rot sever shatter sink splinter wash out wither

STRONG

atomize decline deliquesce detach dilapidate disconnect disorganize disperse disunite divide molder pulverize putrefy separate spoil taint turn worsen

WEAK

break apart disimprove fade away fall to pieces take apart turn to dust wash away

Antonyms

STRONGEST

build combine develop fix flourish grow improve increase join mend put together rise strengthen unite

STRONG

attach collect connect couple gather link

WEAK

meld

VERB

dismantle

Synonyms

STRONGEST

break up demolish destroy disassemble raze undo wreck

STRONG

annihilate bankrupt bare decimate denudate denude deprive dismember dismount disrobe divest fell level ruin strike strip subvert wrack

WEAK

knock down part out pull down take down take to pieces tear down unrig

Antonyms

STRONGEST

build construct create repair restore

STRONG

clothe cover

WEAK

assemble combine put together raise

VERB

disorganize

Synonyms

STRONGEST

demobilize derange misplace muddle perturb unsettle

STRONG

clutter complicate confound confuse destroy disarrange disarray disband discompose dishevel dislocate disorder disperse disturb embroil jumble litter mislay scatter scramble shuffle toss upset

WEAK

break up discreate mess up put out of order turn topsy-turvy

Antonyms

STRONGEST

calm order

STRONG

arrange clarify clean up clear up collect enlighten explain gather neaten organize soothe tidy

WEAK

compose plan systematize

VERB

dissect

Synonyms

STRONGEST

examine explore inspect investigate scrutinize

STRONG

anatomize decompose resolve study

WEAK

decompound inquire about

Antonyms

STRONGEST

ignore

WEAK

connect join mend sew

VERB

dissolve

Synonyms

STRONGEST

break up crumble disband disperse dissipate evaporate fade separate vanish

STRONG

decline decompose diffuse dilapidate dwindle evanesce perish unmake

WEAK

break into pieces melt away waste away

Antonyms

STRONGEST

appear collect gather

STRONG

develop grow improve increase

WEAK

assemble coagulate concentrate continue integrate marry put together resolve solidify unite unmix

VERB

divide

Synonyms

STRONGEST

break carve cut isolate partition segregate split subdivide tear

STRONG

bisect branch chop cleave cross demarcate detach dichotomize disengage disentangle disjoin dislocate dismember dissect dissever dissociate dissolve disunite divorce halve intersect loose part quarter rend rupture section segment sever shear sunder unbind undo

WEAK

abscind cut up pull away

Antonyms

STRONGEST

attach combine fix join mend stay unite wait

STRONG

associate close connect fasten marry

WEAK

agree append collect convince couple disarrange disorganize gather hold keep link maintain persuade retain

VERB

explain

Synonyms

STRONGEST

analyze clarify define demonstrate describe disclose expound illustrate interpret justify point out read resolve reveal solve spell out tell

STRONG

annotate construe decipher diagram elucidate excuse explicate manifest paraphrase rationalize refine render teach translate unfold unravel untangle

WEAK

account for bring out clear up get across go into detail make plain put across put in plain English set right throw light upon

Antonyms

STRONGEST

conceal confuse distort hide misrepresent misunderstand question wonder

STRONG

cloud mystify obscure stagnate tangle withhold

WEAK

be vague complicate perplex

VERB

fail

Synonyms

STRONGEST

decline fall

STRONG

abort backslide blunder deteriorate fizzle flop flounder fold founder miscarry miss slip

WEAK

back wrong horse be defeated be demoted be found lacking be in vain be ruined come to naught come to nothing fall flat fall short fall through go astray go down go down swinging go downhill go up in smoke go wrong hit bottom hit the skids lose control lose out lose status meet with disaster miss the boat play into run aground turn out badly

Antonyms

STRONGEST

ascend go up rise

STRONG

accomplish achieve build correct develop do well succeed

WEAK

capture complete deliver earn finish gain merit obtain procure prosper reach win

VERB

fall

Synonyms

STRONGEST

collapse crash decline decrease depreciate diminish dip dive dwindle ease go down land plummet plunge settle sink slip slump stumble tumble

STRONG

abate backslide buckle cascade drag droop ebb flag flop gravitate lapse lessen pitch recede regress relapse slope spin subside topple totter trail trip wane

WEAK

be precipitated cave in drop down fold up hit the dirt keel over nose-dive take a header tip over

Antonyms

STRONGEST

ascend climb go up raise rise scale

STRONG

develop enlarge expand extend grow increase

VERB

fall apart

Synonyms

STRONGEST

collapse crumble

WEAK

break crack up go to pieces

Antonyms

STRONGEST

build

VERB

founder

Synonyms

STRONGEST

abort fall through stumble

STRONG

collapse fall lurch miscarry misfire sink sprawl stagger submerge submerse trip

WEAK

be lost come to nothing go down go lame go to bottom

Antonyms

STRONG

increase rise

WEAK

accomplish achieve succeed

VERB

fragmentize

Synonyms

STRONG

crumble dissolve disunite divide fragment separate shatter splinter split

WEAK

break apart break up split up

Antonyms

STRONG

combine fix join marry mend put together unite

VERB

freak out

Synonyms

STRONGEST

go crazy lose it

WEAK

blow a gasket blow one's mind blow one's stack blow one's top come unglued crack up flip one's lid flip out fly off the handle go ape go ballistic go bananas go berserk go haywire go nuts go off the deep end hit the ceiling lose control of oneself lose one's composure lose one's cool lose one's mind lose one's temper wig out work oneself up

VERB

inculcate

Synonyms

STRONGEST

impart indoctrinate instill

STRONG

brainwash communicate drill educate impress inseminate instruct plant program teach

WEAK

drum into hammer into shape up work over

Antonyms

STRONG

learn neglect

VERB

indoctrinate

Synonyms

STRONGEST

imbue inculcate instill

STRONG

convince drill ground implant influence initiate instruct plant program school teach train

WEAK

work over

Antonyms

STRONG

forget learn neglect

WEAK

leave alone

VERB

miscarry

Synonyms

STRONGEST

abort fall through

STRONG

backslide blunder decline deteriorate fall fizzle flop flounder fold founder misfire miss

WEAK

back wrong horse be defeated be demoted be found lacking be in vain be ruined come to naught come to nothing fall flat fall short go astray go down go down swinging go downhill go up in smoke go wrong hit bottom hit the skids lose control lose out lose status meet with disaster miss fire miss the boat miss the mark play into run aground turn out badly

Antonyms

STRONG

accomplish achieve ascend build correct develop do well go up improve rise succeed

VERB

misfire

Synonyms

STRONGEST

backfire fall flat fizzle flop

STRONG

abort blunder explode flounder miscarry miss slip

WEAK

come to nothing fall short fizz out fizzle out go up in smoke go wrong peter out poop out

Antonyms

STRONG

correct do well succeed

VERB

molder

Synonyms

STRONGEST

decompose

STRONG

crumble disintegrate

WEAK

waste away

VERB

perish

Synonyms

STRONGEST

cease crumble disappear disintegrate pass away rot succumb vanish wither

STRONG

collapse corrupt croak decease decompose demise depart end expire fall go pass waste

WEAK

OD be destroyed be killed be lost bite the dust buy the farm check out give up the ghost go under kick the bucket lose life pass on

Antonyms

STRONGEST

appear arrive build grow

STRONG

be born bear begin commence create improve rise start stay

WEAK

give birth revive

VERB

propagandize

Synonyms

STRONG

brainwash convince drill ground imbue implant inculcate influence initiate instill instruct plant program school teach train

WEAK

work over

Antonyms

STRONG

forget learn neglect

VERB

putrefy

Synonyms

STRONG

corrupt crumble decay decompose deteriorate disintegrate molder spoil stink taint turn

WEAK

go bad putresce

Antonyms

STRONG

build combine develop grow improve put together unite

VERB

raze

Synonyms

STRONGEST

bulldoze demolish destroy dynamite erase extinguish obliterate overthrow scatter smash topple wipe out wreck

STRONG

batter bomb capsize crash decimate delete efface expunge extirpate fell level overturn reduce remove ruin spill subvert total undo unmake upset wrack zap

WEAK

blow down cast down mow down pull down rub out scratch out strike out tear down tear up throw down unbuild

Antonyms

STRONGEST

build construct create fix repair restore

STRONG

grow place raise win

VERB

resolve

Synonyms

STRONGEST

agree answer clear up conclude deal with decide determine fix iron out propose settle solve undertake work out

STRONG

analyze anatomize break choose clinch decipher decree design dissect dissolve elect elucidate fathom figure intend lick purpose rule unfold unravel untangle unzip will work

WEAK

make a point of pan out pass upon puzzle out remain firm take a stand work through

Antonyms

STRONGEST

begin forget hesitate oppose question refuse start unsettle

STRONG

assemble fasten hide join mend put together tangle

WEAK

mull waver wonder

VERB

rot

Synonyms

STRONGEST

crumble decay decompose disintegrate languish molder perish spoil stain warp wither

STRONG

corrupt debase debauch decline degenerate demoralize deprave descend fester pervert putrefy retrograde sink taint turn worsen

WEAK

disimprove go bad go downhill go to pot waste away

Antonyms

STRONGEST

build combine develop flourish grow improve put together strengthen unite

STRONG

ascend clean cleanse go up increase moralize purify rise upgrade

VERB

simplify

Synonyms

STRONGEST

clarify cut down facilitate reduce shorten streamline

STRONG

abridge analyze chasten decipher disentangle disinvolve elucidate explain interpret order unscramble

WEAK

boil down break it down clean it up clean up clear up cut the frills draw a picture get down to basics get to the meat hit the high spots lay out let daylight in let sunlight in make clear make perfectly clear make plain put in a nutshell put one straight spell out

Antonyms

STRONGEST

grow increase

STRONG

be vague confuse mix up mystify obscure

WEAK

complicate make difficult

VERB

sob

Synonyms

STRONGEST

bawl howl wail weep whimper

STRONG

blub blubber lament snivel

WEAK

boohoo cry a river cry convulsively cry eyes out shed tears turn on waterworks

VERB

spell out

Synonyms

STRONGEST

define describe expound illustrate justify point out

WEAK

brief clear up clue in decipher decode diagram draw a map fill someone in get across go into detail interpret make plain put across put in plain English teach tell throw light upon translate unfold unravel untangle

Antonyms

STRONGEST

confuse

VERB

spoil

Synonyms

STRONGEST

taint

STRONG

addle crumble curdle decompose deteriorate disintegrate mildew molder putrefy rot turn

WEAK

become tainted become useless go bad go off

VERB

succumb

Synonyms

STRONGEST

bow buckle capitulate cave in cease defer give in give way go down pass away perish quit wilt yield

STRONG

accede cave collapse croak decease demise depart drop expire fall fold go knuckle pass submit

WEAK

eat crow fall victim to flake out give in to give out give up the ghost go under knuckle under meet waterloo pack it in show white flag take the count throw in the towel

Antonyms

STRONGEST

continue defend fight

STRONG

ascend deny refuse rise stay

WEAK

conquer overcome win

VERB

taint

Synonyms

STRONGEST

besmirch blight cloud corrupt damage discredit harm hurt infect muddy poison pollute smear spoil stain sully tar tarnish

STRONG

adulterate blacken blemish blot blur brand cook crumble cut debase decay decompose defile deprave discolor disgrace dishonor disintegrate doctor foul putrefy rot shame soil spike stigmatize trash turn water

WEAK

cast a slur crud up give a bad name water down

Antonyms

STRONGEST

aid assist benefit bless clean cleanse fix help honor improve mend purify

STRONG

beautify build clarify clear combine develop enhance esteem flourish grow praise put together respect unite upgrade

WEAK

right

VERB

turn

Synonyms

STRONG

acidify crumble curdle decay decompose disintegrate dull ferment molder putrefy rot sour spoil taint

WEAK

become rancid go bad

Antonyms

STRONG

build combine develop flourish grow improve put together unite

WEAK

make well

VERB

weep

Synonyms

STRONGEST

complain grieve howl moan mourn sob wail whimper

STRONG

bawl bemoan bewail blubber deplore drip keen lament mewl snivel squall ululate yowl

WEAK

boohoo burst into tears let go let it out shed tears

Antonyms

STRONGEST

be happy

STRONG

gloat praise

VERB

wilt

Synonyms

STRONGEST

cave in diminish droop dwindle ebb fade faint melt shrivel succumb wane wither

STRONG

collapse drop flag languish mummify sink waste weaken

WEAK

become limp dry up give out waste away wizen

Antonyms

STRONGEST

develop enlarge expand extend grow increase rise

STRONG

build strengthen

WEAK

bloom

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Expose them to heat, and they’ll break down quickly.

From Salon • May 28, 2026

A membrane forms around unwanted material, and recognition proteins help guide enzymes that break down old or damaged components.

From Science Daily • May 27, 2026

However, the 30-year-old struggled to move after missing four set points in a tight tie-break and going a break down at the start of the second.

From BBC • May 26, 2026

Dahlia Lithwick and Mark Joseph Stern break down the Broadview Six dismissal and the Supreme Court’s surprising punt in a major death penalty case.

From Slate • May 23, 2026

He just seems to me the type who’d layer on the Right Guard for days before he’d finally break down and take a shower.

From "Missing May" by Cynthia Rylant

break down

Example Sentences

Related Words